Le Drian to Hold Talks with Blinken
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France's Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will hold talks with his US counterpart on October 5, in a bid to rebuild diplomatic ties.
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The two foreign ministers will work on rebuilding diplomatic ties in the wake of the AUKUS row
French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on October 5, in a bid to rebuild the two countries' diplomatic ties in the wake of the AUKUS row.
"The two ministers will hold in-depth talks, following on from their meeting in New York on September 23, in order to identify the steps that will be needed to re-establish confidence between our two countries," French Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre said in a statement, adding that "getting out of this crisis will take time and "will need firm action."
Diplomatic relations between France and the US have been tense after Australia canceled a $20 billion deal with France, according to which the latter was to supply Australia with Attack-class submarines. Canberra canceled the deal in favor of a defense pact with the US and the UK.
France retaliated by recalling its Ambassador to the United States for discussions, and he has since returned.
Since then, Presidents Biden and Macron have pledged "in-depth consultations" on the two countries' relations.
