Moscow, Sep 21 (Bureau) Key EU officials are throwing their full backing behind France in the ongoing tensions regarding the AUKUS security alliance, formed by Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clement Beaune said on Tuesday. “Last night, the first discussions between foreign ministers involving Minister Le Drian, [and] Josep Borrell were, I think, very positive in the sense that European solidarity, support for France was extremely clear. It was expressed by the President of the European Commission [Ursula von der Leyen].
It was expressed by the President of the European Council [Charles Michel]. It was also confirmed by High Representative Josep Borrell,” Beaune said on arrival at the General Affairs Council in Brussels. Last week, Australia unilaterally abandoned a $66 billion submarine contract with the French shipbuilder in favor of obtaining nuclear-powered submarines for its navy through the recently-announced AUKUS alliance. In response, Paris recalled its ambassadors from Canberra and Washington, while French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described the move as a betrayal of trust between the nations.