Australia’s relationship with France appears to be on the mend – with Prime Minister Antony Albanese pouncing on French President Emmanuel Macron after landing in Lithuania for a NATO summit.
Franco-Australian relations suffered in 2021 after the previous coalition government’s decision to dump a French submarine contract in favor of acquiring others under partnerships with the UK and US.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison’s secret decision to cancel the deal cost French naval manufacturers an estimated $5 billion.
France temporarily withdrew its ambassador from Canberra and Mr Macron told Australian reporters Mr Morrison had lied to him.
But it was all smiles as the two leaders met in Lithuania, with Mr Albanese sharing some glowing words about his French counterpart.
Anthony Albanese is pictured with French President Emmanuel Macron
‘Europe must be open, prosperous and free. And I know of no stronger advocate for this view than French President Emmanuel Macron,’ Mr Albanese tweeted.
He revealed that Mr Macron had invited him to visit France earlier in the week but it was not possible as Mr Albanese was in Germany.
Mr Albanese said he had invited the French president to visit Australia.
The Prime Minister also met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, thanking him for Australia’s inclusion in the military alliance’s summit.
‘We will remain engaged in support of the people of Ukraine for as long as necessary,’ Mr Albanese said a day after announcing the deployment of an Australian reconnaissance aircraft to Europe amid the conflict.
Attending the summit for the second time since becoming prime minister, Mr Albanese will attend a special meeting on Wednesday with Australia’s ‘Indo-Pacific Four’ partners: Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
Although not a member of NATO, Australia has worked with the alliance since 2005 and has been an ‘enhanced opportunity partner’ since 2014.
The Prime Minister also met his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, Portuguese leader Antonio Costa and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday.
Mr Albanese said he hoped to meet on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended the summit on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister also spoke to a bipartisan delegation of US senators who will play a role in passing legislation to enable the transfer of Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
Mr Albanese had previously announced the Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail would help protect multinational logistics hubs and allow the free flow of aid but would not enter Ukrainian airspace.
The aircraft will be deployed for six months and based in Germany.
The deployment will include 100 crew and support personnel from Australia.
The Prime Minister also met his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, Portuguese leader Antonio Costa and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Tuesday.
Mr Albanese said he hoped to meet on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended the summit on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister also spoke to a bipartisan delegation of US senators who will play a role in passing legislation to enable the transfer of Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
But not everyone is impressed with Mr. Albanese’s foreign visit.
Veteran broadcaster Alan Jones accused Mr Albanese and treasurer Jim Chalmers of missing out as thousands of families struggle to make ends meet.
‘I’ve been saying for months where are Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers when it comes to Australia’s living crisis?’ Jones wrote on Facebook Tuesday.
‘Both of them are nowhere to be seen.
‘The Prime Minister is busy shaking hands with foreign leaders; And the Treasurer never stops ranting about the ‘trillions of dollars in Liberal Party debt’.
‘Meanwhile, Australians, both young and old, families and small businesses are struggling.’
Mr Albanese met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin earlier on Monday and announced that Australia would send a surveillance plane to Germany to monitor military and humanitarian supplies in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister also announced that Australia would join the ‘Climate Club’ – an international group aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Last year, Australia committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.
It also aims to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Germany is working toward net zero by 2045, with an initial target of an 88 percent reduction to 1990 levels by 2040.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said tackling climate change would help Australia improve trade and business relations with Europe.
“Germany looks to us as a source of clean energy, clean hydrogen and so on,” he told Sky News on Tuesday.
‘The opportunities for Australian industry in supporting Germany’s energy demand are huge…’