EU, Australian leaders talk Canberra's deal with US, UK

BRUSSELS

The European Council head and Australia’s premier on Tuesday discussed Canberra’s new security pact with the US and UK, whose announcement last week shunted aside France’s previous agreement with the Australian government.

European Council President Charles Michel and Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who are both in New York for the UN General Assembly, had a “frank, direct and lively exchange” on the AUKUS alliance, the top EU official explained on Twitter, using diplomatic terms usually signaling a difficult conversation.

“Clarity is needed between friends. Dialogue is key to build strong partnerships,” he added.

“Transparency and dialogue are key to be able to maintain the rules-based international order. Partners should inform each other on issues of broad geo-strategic importance,” an EU official told journalists following the meeting.

The EU official added that “it will be important for Australia to engage with the EU and its member states to build confidence and strong partnership,” referring to the recent tensions in EU-Australia relations.

Last week, Australia suddenly canceled a $66 billion submarine deal with France after the new Indo-Pacific security deal was unveiled by US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and Morrison.

Canberra said it would build nuclear-powered submarines with its partners from the AUKUS alliance instead of purchasing them from Paris.

France blasted the deal as a “stab in the back” and recalled its ambassadors from Canberra and Washington for consultations.

In a Monday interview with CNN, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said France “has been treated in a way that is not acceptable and a lot of open questions about the AUKUS deal have to be answered.”