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Australia central to France Indo-Pacific strategy: Emmanuel Macron

French President says France is committed to ‘defending ‘balances of Indo-Pacific,’ recognises Australia is ‘at forefront of tensions’.

Emmanuel Macron greets Scott Morrison at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Picture: AFP.
Emmanuel Macron greets Scott Morrison at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Picture: AFP.

Emmanuel Macron has declared France is committed to “defending the balances of the Indo-Pacific”, and described its partnership with Australia as “central” to his regional strategy.

The French President greeted Scott Morrison in Paris on Tuesday with a ceremonial welcome at the Elysee Palace, before the pair met to discuss rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific and the roles of both countries in the region amid China’s aggressive behaviour and economic coercion of countries including Australia.

Mr Macron said France understood Australia was “at the forefront of tensions in the region” including threats and intimidation.

“I would like to reiterate here how much we stand by your side. In addition to military exercises and ship calls, including the recent visit of a submarine, the Emeraude, we have also continued to implement the program of 12 future submarines, which are a pillar of our partnership and of the relationship of trust between our two countries,” Mr Macron said.

Emmanuel Macron and Scott Morrison at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Picture: AFP.
Emmanuel Macron and Scott Morrison at the Elysee Palace in Paris. Picture: AFP.

Mr Macron said the program was “based on the transfer of know-how and technology and will bind us together for decades to come with the aim of strengthening Australia’s position and contributing to its sovereignty and strategic autonomy”.

“On the strength of this partnership and a more stable Indo-Pacific area, our overseas territories will thus benefit from an environment conducive to the development of economic, cultural and scientific relations in the countries of the region,” he said.

“I would like to tell you of our full and complete commitment, that of the French industrialists, that of the American industrialists at our side, since this is a Franco-American partnership alongside Australia, and that of the entire French Government to meet common ambitions, if possible to go further and faster, because I know that this matters to you.”

With France viewing itself as a regional power with territories including French Polynesia, New Caledonia and Wallis and Futuna, Mr Macron said: “Our geopolitical strategy is to be an actor alongside those who share our democratic values to ensure freedom of maritime movement, freedom in terms of acquiring technology and the defence of our values”.

Emmanuel Macron and Scott Morrison speak to reporters. Picture: AFP.
Emmanuel Macron and Scott Morrison speak to reporters. Picture: AFP.

Mr Macron said Australia was choosing to “invest in the relationship with France in all its diversity and richness”.

He also welcomed a new road map which “aims to enhance our ambition in the areas of renewable energy, hydrogen, the protection of biodiversity and cultural and academic exchanges”.

“Our solidarity is also expressed in a common fight against transnational threats, foremost among which are terrorism, transnational organised crime and humanitarian operations in the Pacific,” he said.

“We have jointly extended assistance to Papua New Guinea only recently. As part of this friendship and solidarity, and as we had the opportunity to discuss together during the G7, we firmly reject any coercive measures of an economic nature taken against Australia in flagrant violation of international law.

“And on this point, I would like to reiterate our support, solidarity and firmness.”

Mr Macron’s public comments supporting Australia came on the same day Boris Johnson said Britons stood “shoulder to shoulder with our friends”.

Boris Johnson exchanges biscuits with Scott Morrison after agreeing a trade deal. Picture: Twitter.
Boris Johnson exchanges biscuits with Scott Morrison after agreeing a trade deal. Picture: Twitter.

The British Prime Minister, who has sent a strike carrier group to the Indo-Pacific led by the Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier and is also increasing Britain’s footprint in South Pacific nations to increase its diplomatic reach, said it was “vital to engage with China in as positive way as we can”.

“But where there are difficulties, which there evidently are, it’s vital that allies – UK, Australia – work together, and that’s one of the reasons why we’re sending the, you know, sending the carrier strike group out your way,” Mr Johnson said.

Mr Morrison, who was expected to raise directly with Mr Macron Australia’s concerns about the $90bn future submarines program led by French-company Naval Group, said the French understood “liberty” better than anyone.

“Affinity is the way we describe our partnership. An affinity across so many different areas of the relationship. On everything from countering terrorism to our partnership in the Indo-Pacific where in recent times we have sailed together. In these last few weeks through the South China Sea together,” Mr Morrison said.

“Every element of our partnership is about reinforcing the values and the beliefs we hold dearly.”

Mr Morrison said Mr Macron had shown global leadership in combating climate change in a world that had “changed dramatically” in recent years.

“Practically addressing the challenges of technologies that are necessary to ensure that not only is a carbon neutral economy achievable in advanced economies but importantly that it’s achieved in developing economies. And for that to occur it requires the technology that makes it achievable for them,” he said.

Mr Macron was considered an early mover on the looming geostrategic competition in the Indo-Pacific after declaring France and Australia could be the heart of a new regional power base during a visit to Sydney in 2018.

Read related topics:China TiesScott Morrison
Geoff Chambers
Geoff ChambersChief Political Correspondent

Geoff Chambers is The Australian’s Chief Political Correspondent. He was previously The Australian’s Canberra Bureau Chief and Queensland Bureau Chief. Before joining the national broadsheet he was News Editor at The Daily and Sunday Telegraphs and Head of News at the Gold Coast Bulletin. As a senior journalist and political reporter, he has covered budgets and elections across the nation and worked in the Queensland, NSW and Canberra press galleries. He has covered major international news stories for News Corp, including earthquakes, people smuggling, and hostage situations, and has written extensively on Islamic extremism, migration, Indo-Pacific and China relations, resources and trade.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/australia-central-to-france-indopacific-strategy-emmanuel-macron/news-story/31ee464dbef072bb23b85a1c6e0b115b