France reacts angrily after being left out of an agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia to give Australia nuclear-powered submarines.
In a statement issued by the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-yves Le Drian, and the Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, the country said that the decision announced on Wednesday “is contrary to the letter and spirit of the prevailing cooperation between France and Australia, based on a relationship of political trust, as well as on the development of a high-level defense industrial and technological base in Australia. “
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“The US choice to exclude a European ally and partner like France from a structuring alliance with Australia, at a time when we are facing unprecedented challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, either in terms of our values or in terms of respect for the rule of law-based multilateralism, it shows a lack of coherence that France can only acknowledge and regret, “the statement continued.
The statement went on to describe the announcement as “unfortunate.”
“The unfortunate decision that has just been announced regarding the FSP program only reinforces the need to make clear the issue of European strategic autonomy,” the joint statement said. “There is no other credible way to defend our interests and our values in the world, including in the Indo-Pacific.”
France added that it is “the only European nation present in the Indo-Pacific with nearly two million citizens and more than 7,000 military.”
Earlier in the day, U.S. President Biden joined British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to announce the creation of an enhanced trilateral security partnership, called “AUKUS,” which is to share highly sensitive nuclear submarine technology with Australia.
“As AUKUS’ first initiative, which recognizes our common tradition as maritime democracies, we are committed to a shared ambition to support Australia in the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy, ”he said. say the White House dit. “Today we are embarking on an 18-month trilateral effort to find an optimal way to achieve this capability. We will build on the experience of the United States and the United Kingdom, building on the two countries’ submarine programs to put Australian capacity into service. the first achievable date “.
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During the announcement, Biden referred in France as an “important Indo-Pacific presence” and “key partner and ally in strengthening the security and prosperity of the region.”
“The United States looks forward to working closely with France and other key countries as we move forward,” Biden said.
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The association’s announcement is widely perceived as a challenge to China’s authority in the region, and the Chinese embassy responded quickly to the news.
“Exchanges and cooperation between countries should help expand mutual understanding and trust,” the Chinese embassy in the United States said in a statement. “Countries should do more to promote solidarity and cooperation between countries and regional peace and stability. In the meantime, they should not build exclusionary blocs aimed at or harming the interests of third parties. In particular, they should ‘eliminate their cold war mentality and ideological prejudice’.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News.