AUKUS: Macron accuses Morrison of lying to him about the submarines

Emanuel Macron claims Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison lied to him about cancellation of submarine construction contract in September. This is a statement that implies that more is needed in order to restore trust between the two allies.

Macron and Morrison were in Rome for the G20 conference.

It was their first meeting since Australia canceled a multibillion-dollar deal with France under a new defense security deal with the United States and Britain announced in September.

The new defense security alliance, known as AUKUS, provides Australia with access to nuclear submarine technology, while surprises Paris, prompts recall of French ambassadors from Washington and Canberra, after accusations that they betrayed France.

“I have great respect for your country. I have great respect and great friendship for your people. “What I am saying is that when we have respect, one has to be true and behave accordingly and consistently, in accordance with the above value,” Macron told a group of Australian journalists who traveled to cover the G20, as reported by international agencies and broadcast. the Athenian News Agency.

Asked if he thought Morrison was lying to him, Macron replied, “I don’t think so. I am aware”.

Morrison denies lying

Speaking later at a news conference in Rome yesterday, Morrison said he had not lied and had previously explained to Macron that conventional submarines were no longer meeting Australia’s defense needs. He said that the process of restoring relations has begun.

On Friday, US President Joe Biden said that in his opinion France had been informed about the cancellation of the contract before the announcement of the AUKUS agreement, talking about clumsy management of the whole issue.

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