Unable To Contact President Macron Because Of The Submarine Crisis, Australian PM: We Will Be Patient

PM Australia Scott Morrison. (Wikimedia Commons/Australian Embassy Jakarta)

JAKARTA - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he had tried to set up a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, though so far to no avail, a week after the cancellation of the submarine deal that sparked a diplomatic row with Paris.

Speaking in Washington DC, United States, PM Morrison said he would be patient in rebuilding relations with France.

Paris has recalled its ambassadors from Canberra and Washington, saying it was blinded by Australia's decision to build nuclear submarines with the United States and Britain, rather than stick with its contract for French diesel submarines.

However, Washington's relations with Paris are starting to thaw, with France saying their ambassador will return to duty in Washington next week after President Joe Biden and President Emmanuel Macron spoke for 30 minutes on the phone.

Meanwhile, PM Morrison, who is in the United States for a series of meetings this week, said he had tried to set up his own phone call with the French president, though to no avail.

"Yes, we have. And the opportunity for that call hasn't yet. But we'll be patient," Morrison said after meeting with US lawmakers to discuss the submarine deal and a new security alliance with the United States and Britain dubbed AUKUS, cited from Reuters, September 23.

PM Morrison said he understood France's disappointment, underscoring the cancellation of the submarine contract, which was initially valued at $40 billion and was recently valued at $60 billion, means things are different from those between Washington and Paris, meaning they will need more time to resolve the issue. resolved.

"I am looking forward to it and when the time is right and when the opportunity arises, we will have similar discussions."

He added that Australia's agreement to establish a nuclear-powered submarine fleet and the new Australia, UK, US (AUKUS) tripartite security alliance, had received bipartisan support during its meetings with US lawmakers and officials.