French envoy in Canberra after subs row
The French ambassador has returned to Australia and gone into quarantine in Canberra after being dramatically recalled to Paris three weeks.
The French ambassador has returned to Australia and gone into quarantine in Canberra after being dramatically recalled to Paris three weeks ago in protest at Scott Morrison’s decision to end the $90bn submarine contract with France.
Jean-Pierre Thebault flew into Sydney on Sunday and travelled to Canberra to complete his Covid 19 isolation.
As part of a diplomatic row, Mr Thebault and the French ambassador to the US were recalled to Paris when the French Foreign Minister described cancellation of the submarine contract as “unacceptable behaviour among allies and partners”.
France also asked EU colleagues to dump the free-trade talks between Australia and the EU in retaliation for the contract cancellation.
The Morrison government signed a new agreement with the UK and the US (AUKUS) to supply nuclear submarines instead of the French diesel boats.
French President Emmanuel Macron has refused to take calls from the Australian Prime Minister and expressed anger with US President Joe Biden when the decision was announced.
The French ambassador returned to Washington DC within days and the ambassador to Australia has been returned to manage French interests after the dumped contract.
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