WIf Thailand was involved in the submarine dispute between Australia and France, the matter would probably have further consequences. Because the number five is pronounced like “Ha” in Thai – which makes the sum of 555 million euros that the Australian government is now paying in compensation to the French shipbuilder Naval “Ha-ha-ha”.
But Thailand was not involved in the controversy that has weighed heavily on Australia-Europe relations for the past year. Consequently, there is a chance that the matter could now be resolved. Australia’s new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his government’s willingness to pay compensation on Saturday. The agreement will put an end to the contracts, he added.
American instead of French submarines for Australia
Australia, the USA and Great Britain announced a new joint security alliance in the Indo-Pacific in 2021 without consulting their continental European allies. The new alliance was directed against the military threat posed by China in the region. The goal was therefore agreed with the Europeans – only the consequences of this led to controversy. Because Australia should get access to American technology for the construction and operation of nuclear submarines within the framework of the alliance.
This burst a 56-billion-euro deal about the purchase of French submarines by Australia that was believed to be safe. Paris reacted angrily. French President Emmanuel Macron accused then-Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison of lying, saying bilateral relations were in crisis.
“The way this decision was handled has created enormous tension in Australia-France relations,” Australia’s new Prime Minister Albanese said. “France is a key ally, an ally we have fought alongside in two world wars, and an ally that has a significant presence in the Pacific – at a time when tensions in the Indo-Pacific region are hampering cooperation with our partners.” require.”
The agreement on compensation was preceded by talks with Macron, Albanese said. The PM thanked Macron for “the heartfelt way in which we are restoring a better relationship between Australia and France”.
Since taking office last month, Albanese has pledged to improve Franco-Australian relations. In a telephone call in May, Albanese and Macron agreed that they wanted to rebuild a trusting relationship between the two countries. For example, they wanted to overcome the climate crisis and the strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific together, it said.
