Statement by Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (17 September 2021)

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At the request of the President of the Republic, I am recalling to Paris without delay our ambassadors to the United States and to Australia for consultations.

This exceptional decision is justified by the exceptional gravity of the announcements made on 15th September by Australia and the United States.

The cancellation of the Attack class submarine program binding Australia and France since 2016, and the announcement of a new partnership with the United States meant to launch studies on a possible future cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines, constitute unacceptable behavior between allies and partners, whose consequences directly affect the vision we have of our alliances, of our partnerships and of the importance of the Indo-Pacific for Europe.