The British prime minister is trying to defuse tensions. Boris Johnson proposed, on Friday, September 24, Emmanuel Macron to “Restoring the cooperation between France and the United Kingdom” after the diplomatic crisis of the submarines, the Elysee reported after a meeting between the two leaders.

During this telephone exchange that took place in the morning ” On demand “ from London, Mr Johnson “He expressed his intention to reestablish cooperation (…) in line with our values ​​and our common interests (climate, Indo-Pacific, fight against terrorism, etc.). The President of the Republic replied that he was waiting for your proposals “, continues the short press release from the French Presidency.

This interview was conducted two days after an exchange between MM. Macron and Biden who made it possible to restore ” the trust ” between Paris and Washington following the announcement, on September 15, of a strategic partnership between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, which resulted in the cancellation of a mega-contract for the sale of sub-French sailors in Canberra.

The removal of the French ambassador in London is considered unnecessary

Macron has ruled that the French ambassador to the United States, Philippe Etienne, will return to Washington next week, while a decision on the return of the French ambassador to Australia has not yet been announced, he also recalled Paris.

On the other hand, the removal of the French ambassador in London was considered unnecessary because, according to the head of diplomacy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, “Great Britain in this matter is a bit like the coach’s fifth wheel anyway.”. “We know permanent opportunism” the British, added the French minister on September 19.

In signal of its displeasure, Paris had also canceled a meeting scheduled for this week between the Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, and her British counterpart, Ben Wallace.

Aukus’ security pact “is not exclusive”

Boris Johnson on Wednesday asked France to recover by asking him, in French: “Control this and give me a break”, in other words, “Calm down and let me go. “ He assured that the Aukus security pact, concluded between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom in the Indo-Pacific area, was not “Not exclusive” and that was not trying “Do not exclude anyone”.

The French and British Heads of State also raised during this interview the sensitive issue of the massive arrivals of migrants crossing the English Channel illegally. Boris johnson “He reiterated the UK position that [il faut] break the business model of migrant smugglers who endanger lives ”, Downing Street clarified, claiming that the two leaders were It agreed to intensify its cooperation on this issue ”.

Ces derniers mois, les bilatérales relations ont fortement souffert des tensions nées de la mise en work du Brexit, notamment dans la pêche, et du contrôle, I played insufficient for London, des migrants tentant de rejoindre l’Angleterre depuis les côtes du nord de la France.