Fears Australia’s France submarine snub could scupper closer EU economic ties
Opposition accuses Scott Morrison of failing ‘to do the diplomatic leg work’ after EU postpones free trade talks
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and French president Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in June. There are fears Australia’s France submarine snub could scupper closer EU economic ties. Photograph: Action Press/REX/Shutterstock
The postponement of trade talks between the European Union and Australia has raised fears in Canberra that a rift with France over the ditched submarine contract could slow down the push for closer economic ties.
The EU confirmed reports on Friday that the 12th round of negotiations – originally scheduled for October – had been delayed until November.
The opposition Labor party cited the development as proof Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, had “failed to do the diplomatic leg work required to manage the relationship with our French partners”.
The one-month delay emerged amid a rift over the Morrison government’s decision to walk away from a $90bn contract to deliver submarines in favour of a nuclear-powered option with the US and the UK. Paris has complained that it had been misled or “lied” to just hours before the decision was revealed.
The Australian trade minister, Dan Tehan, who has struggled to secure a meeting with his French counterpart during his forthcoming trip to Paris, said in a statement on Friday: “We understand the French reaction to our submarine decision but ultimately any nation must act in its national interest – which is what Australia has done.”
The Guardian reported last week that France was seeking to enlist EU support to delay a planned trade deal with Australia, although Tehan insisted at the time that the Australian government considered the negotiations to be “business as usual”.
On Friday Tehan said he was still scheduled to meet with his EU counterpart, Valdis Dombrovskis, next week to discuss the 12th negotiating round, but the actual negotiations “will now take place in November rather than October”.
A European commission spokesperson said the postponement would “allow us to better prepare”.
“We can confirm that we will delay the next round of trade negotiations by one month,” the spokesperson said.
“It is not the end of these negotiations. The FTA negotiations are always about substance over speed and there are many open issues to negotiate.”
Tehan mounted a case for shielding the trade negotiations from the submarine dispute.
“A free trade agreement is in the interests of Australia and the European Union and will strengthen our relationship that is built on a shared commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and economic openness,” Tehan said.
But the Labor party accused the prime minister of “diplomatic failures” that were now “putting Australian exporters and jobs in jeopardy, right when Australia needs urgent trade diversification”.
Labor’s leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, said: “Mr Morrison now has his work cut out for him if he wants to rebuild trust with our European partners.”
Madeleine King, the opposition’s trade spokesperson, added: “The European Union is our second-largest trading partner – our exporters need a government that delivers new market access and expanded opportunities to do business and support Australian jobs.”
Since announcing the new Aukus pact and plan to develop nuclear-propelled submarines in the US or UK, the Morrison government has struggled to control the diplomatic fallout from an enraged France.
The French contractor, Naval Group, has accused Australia of tearing up the $90bn deal “for convenience”, while France’s foreign minister has said “someone lied” because Australia had reassured France the program was on track.
This week Morrison’s predecessor as prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, labelled it as an “appalling episode” in Australia’s international affairs, suggesting the government’s handling of the matter was “clumsy, deceitful and costly”.
On Friday Morrison did not respond directly to Turnbull’s strongest comments, saying he wanted to “show great respect to my predecessors”. But the prime minister pushed back at one of Turnbull’s critiques about the feasibility of Australia operating nuclear-propelled submarines without a civil nuclear industry.
“The idea that Australia has to have a civil nuclear energy industry is not a requirement for us to go through the submarine program,” Morrison told reporters on Friday.
He said the government would be “drawing on the great experience” of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and Australia’s existing scientific capabilities.
Morrison has yet to secure a call with the French president, Emmanuel Macron. An Élysée Palace official said this week that any future talks between the two leaders would have to be “seriously prepared” and have “substance”.
The Australian defence minister, Peter Dutton, said on Friday that his government wanted to be “the best friends we can be” with France. “They are very valued partners, but they are hurt,” Dutton told the Nine Network.
While the EU talks have been postponed, there is sign of modest progress in Australia’s hopes of deepening trade ties with India, as tensions with Australia’s top trading partner China sparked calls for trade diversification. Australia and India have set a goal of reaching an interim agreement by the end of December.
The postponement of trade talks between the European Union and Australia has raised fears in Canberra that a rift with France over the ditched submarine contract could slow down the push for closer economic ties.
The EU confirmed reports on Friday that the 12th round of negotiations – originally scheduled for October – had been delayed until November.
The opposition Labor party cited the development as proof Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, had “failed to do the diplomatic leg work required to manage the relationship with our French partners”.
The one-month delay emerged amid a rift over the Morrison government’s decision to walk away from a $90bn contract to deliver submarines in favour of a nuclear-powered option with the US and the UK. Paris has complained that it had been misled or “lied” to just hours before the decision was revealed.
The Australian trade minister, Dan Tehan, who has struggled to secure a meeting with his French counterpart during his forthcoming trip to Paris, said in a statement on Friday: “We understand the French reaction to our submarine decision but ultimately any nation must act in its national interest – which is what Australia has done.”
The Guardian reported last week that France was seeking to enlist EU support to delay a planned trade deal with Australia, although Tehan insisted at the time that the Australian government considered the negotiations to be “business as usual”.
On Friday Tehan said he was still scheduled to meet with his EU counterpart, Valdis Dombrovskis, next week to discuss the 12th negotiating round, but the actual negotiations “will now take place in November rather than October”.
A European commission spokesperson said the postponement would “allow us to better prepare”.
“We can confirm that we will delay the next round of trade negotiations by one month,” the spokesperson said.
“It is not the end of these negotiations. The FTA negotiations are always about substance over speed and there are many open issues to negotiate.”
Tehan mounted a case for shielding the trade negotiations from the submarine dispute.
“A free trade agreement is in the interests of Australia and the European Union and will strengthen our relationship that is built on a shared commitment to democracy, human rights, the rule of law and economic openness,” Tehan said.
But the Labor party accused the prime minister of “diplomatic failures” that were now “putting Australian exporters and jobs in jeopardy, right when Australia needs urgent trade diversification”.
Paris has a long memory – Scott Morrison’s cavalier treatment of France will hurt Australia - Kevin Rudd
Labor’s leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, said: “Mr Morrison now has his work cut out for him if he wants to rebuild trust with our European partners.”
Madeleine King, the opposition’s trade spokesperson, added: “The European Union is our second-largest trading partner – our exporters need a government that delivers new market access and expanded opportunities to do business and support Australian jobs.”
Since announcing the new Aukus pact and plan to develop nuclear-propelled submarines in the US or UK, the Morrison government has struggled to control the diplomatic fallout from an enraged France.
The French contractor, Naval Group, has accused Australia of tearing up the $90bn deal “for convenience”, while France’s foreign minister has said “someone lied” because Australia had reassured France the program was on track.
This week Morrison’s predecessor as prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, labelled it as an “appalling episode” in Australia’s international affairs, suggesting the government’s handling of the matter was “clumsy, deceitful and costly”.
On Friday Morrison did not respond directly to Turnbull’s strongest comments, saying he wanted to “show great respect to my predecessors”. But the prime minister pushed back at one of Turnbull’s critiques about the feasibility of Australia operating nuclear-propelled submarines without a civil nuclear industry.
“The idea that Australia has to have a civil nuclear energy industry is not a requirement for us to go through the submarine program,” Morrison told reporters on Friday.
He said the government would be “drawing on the great experience” of the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and Australia’s existing scientific capabilities.
Morrison has yet to secure a call with the French president, Emmanuel Macron. An Élysée Palace official said this week that any future talks between the two leaders would have to be “seriously prepared” and have “substance”.
The Australian defence minister, Peter Dutton, said on Friday that his government wanted to be “the best friends we can be” with France. “They are very valued partners, but they are hurt,” Dutton told the Nine Network.
While the EU talks have been postponed, there is sign of modest progress in Australia’s hopes of deepening trade ties with India, as tensions with Australia’s top trading partner China sparked calls for trade diversification. Australia and India have set a goal of reaching an interim agreement by the end of December.
Yes, Paris has a long memory.....
ReplyDeletela france n'oubliera jamais le sacrifice australien
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/we-will-never-forget-diggers-france-says
QUOTE
We will never forget diggers, France says
Almost a century on, the sacrifice made by Anzacs on the Western Front has been remembered in northern France.
25/04/2015
France has paid homage to the Anzacs, saying it is eternally grateful for the courage of the hero diggers.
Speaking on behalf of the French Government at a wet and sombre dawn service outside the village of Villers-Bretonneux, local politician Pascale Boistard said in the daily horror of the Western Front, the Anzacs had forged a legend.
"When the French think about the Anzacs, they think of their courage, and they are eternally grateful," Ms Boistard told those at the Australian National Memorial.
"They were heroes. France understands what it owes them. French people will never forget those who came to fight at their side on their soil."
Villers-Bretonneux was the site of one of the key battles in World War I where the Australians stopped the German forces advancing towards Paris, turning the course of the war.
Their success however came at a huge cost. More than 1200 soldiers were killed or wounded in the battle which began on the night of April 24, 1918.
The casualties made up heavy losses suffered on the Western Front, with 46,000 of the 295,000 who served in France and Belgium never making it home.
A record number of Anzac pilgrims attended the wet dawn service at the National Memorial, remembering the "useless slaughter" on nearby battlefields.
The crowd of about 4000 listened to the stories of some of the 10,764 names etched on the memorial's walls, honouring those soldiers whose remains were never found.
Jenny Nairn's great uncle died during the beginning of the Western Front campaign in 1916 and is one of those listed on the walls.
"It's quite an emotional experience actually being here," the Adelaide resident said.
"The useless slaughter on these battlefields is something we have to remember. Just as much as we remember Gallipoli."
Brisbane expats Kimberley Hutton, 30, and Luke Malone, 32, who travelled from London, said their trip to Villers-Bretonneux was the "least they could do" to honour Australian soldiers.
"There's guys still out there serving. This is a day when we can stand together... and remember them too," Ms Hutton said.
"It's the very small thing we can do to show our appreciation".
Defence Minister, Kevin Andrews, told the gathering that this year's Anzac centenary commemorations weren't just about the battles that happened one hundred years ago.
"It is our opportunity to remember the century of service and sacrifice since," he said.
UNQUOTE
Wakakakakakaka…
DeleteStill doing yr rounds of regurgitating diarrhea!
Those diggers died for their 'king & country' as a target practices for the enemy. Same same as those Oz soldiers been sent as the first batch of front liners in the landing of Normandy!
Sacrifice as dirt, indeed, by that 'king & country' they so loved!
Australia has a relatively tiny population compared to other major economic powers.
ReplyDeleteLots of other countries think they can pick on Australia, if it serves their purpose.
That's why Australia's true friends and alliances, of more than 100 years standing , through thick and thin , are so vital.
True friends are always few in this world.
True friends NEVER treating each other as sacrificial lamb!
DeleteOld moneyed mfer, didn't yr his-story tell u that?
Trade Minister Dan Tehan was former Veteran's Affairs Minister so he can remind Frenchie this from just a few months ago....
ReplyDeletehttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210903-france-faces-anger-over-planned-wind-farm-next-to-wwi-memorial
QUOTE
France faces anger over planned wind farm next to WWI memorial
03/09/2021
Opponents of a wind farm planned next to a battlefield in France where hundreds of Australian soldiers died during World War I are urging the government to cancel the plan, calling it an affront to the memory of the dead. Politicians and campaigners have spent years trying to overturn plans for turbines next to World War I killing fields in northern France, where around 10,000 Australians were among hundreds of thousands killed and wounded. In 2017, Australian officials expressed relief after French state electricity company Engie pulled the plug on a wind farm project in Bullecourt, site of two battles that were particularly deadly for the Australians. The firm said at the time that the negative reaction -- not least from the French state -- had underscored the site's "sacredness". The same year, French authorities rejected plans for another wind farm next to Australia's national war memorial in Villers-Bretonneux, close to President Emmanuel Macron's hometown of Amiens, saying it would be a blot on the landscape. But in March this year, an appeal court in the town of Douai overturned that decision and gave wind energy company Les Vents de Picardie the green light to proceed with the farm around five kilometres from the memorial. The case has become a cause celebre among local politicians, who are piling pressure on Macron to take the fight to France's top courts.
"We cannot accept that the transition to green energy, which is necessary, be given precedence over the memory of, and respect for the dead," Christophe Coulon, vice-president of the Hauts-de-France region, told AFP in a telephone interview. "It's a moral issue," said Coulon, who held a press conference with two other prominent local politicians at the memorial site on Thursday. But the government has so far refused to contest the decision. Ecology minister Barbara Pompili's office told AFP last month it was not generally opposed to the idea of wind turbines being visible from memorial sites, so would not refer the case to higher courts. Villers-Bretonneux marks the site of one of Australia's greatest World War I victories when Australian troops encircled the village and retook it from Nazi forces, some 1,200 dying the fight. Every year, a small Anzac Day ceremony is held at the site, which is one of the first stop-offs in France for many Australian tourists. The memorial, which is next to a military cemetery, has a tower surrounded by walls and panels inscribed with the names of the 10,732 Australian troops who died in France with no known grave.
....con't
Wakakakakaka…
DeleteBlurred mfer, it's known as karma!
But … but do Anglophones believe in this eastern philosophy?
Nay… they only believe in $ sign.