Extract from ABC News
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has welcomed a "new start" in relations with France during a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Key points:
- The meeting in Paris is the first one-on-one meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Anthony Albanese
- The Prime Minister says it "represents a new start for our countries' relationship"
- His comments come after an acrimonious row between the countries over the cancellation of a $90 billion submarine contract last year
It was the first meeting of national leaders since an acrimonious row over a submarine contract last year.
There was little evidence of the diplomatic fallout as the two leaders greeted each other the Élysée Palace.
"My presence here represents a new start for our countries' relationship," Mr Albanese said.
"Australia's relationship with France matters. Trust, respect and honesty matter. This is how I will approach my relations."
The Prime Minister had already been speaking to Mr Macron on the sidelines of the NATO summit, but Friday's working lunch was the first one-on-one between the leaders.
Mr Macron said Mr Albanese's recent election and the first conversations between the pair "mark a willingness to rebuild a relationship of trust between our two countries, a relationship based on mutual respect".
After acknowledging "difficult times", Mr Macron emphasised the two countries' strategic partnership, their shared war history in Europe and their joint interests in stability in the Pacific region.
The statements, which followed a warm greeting between the two men and their partners in the courtyard of the presidential palace, mark a sea change in ties since the departure of former prime minister Scott Morrison.
Ties between Paris and Canberra plummeted after Mr Morrison tore up the submarine deal with France's Naval Group last year.
He opted for US or British nuclear-powered alternatives as part of a landmark security agreement — the trilateral AUKUS alliance — with Washington and London.
The switch caused fury in Paris, with Mr Macron accusing Mr Morrison of lying about the future of the contract worth $90 billion.
Mr Morrison was also accused of leaking a text message from Mr Macron to the media in response to his claim.
France’s ambassador to Australia was also briefly recalled to Paris, telling media as he left that "[France] was deliberately kept in the dark" about the submarine deal.
When asked whether Mr Albanese should have offered an apology to France, on behalf of Australia, Mr Macron said "we talk about the future, not the past".
"He wasn't responsible [for] what happened," Mr Macron said.
In March, defence officials revealed the federal government could pay more than $5 billion to France to end the deal.
The Australian government's new position on climate change has also brought the two nations closer together.
"The new Australian stance – proactive and ambitious – gives us an opportunity to move together," Mr Macron said.
The Albanese government has pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 43 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030, an increase on the 26 to 28 per cent reduction promised by the Morrison government.
"Every leader who I've met over recent days has indicated a welcoming of Australia's changed position," Mr Albanese said.
The change in policy has also made the progress of a free trade agreement with the European Union more likely.
Negotiations had stalled since the diplomatic fallout with France and earlier this week, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen offered support for them resuming within months.
ABC/wires
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