“From now on, by experience, we will no longer believe fine words, promises of love,” said diplomat Jean-Pierre Thébault on Wednesday.
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All is not yet forgiven. The French Ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thébault, admitted Wednesday, November 3 that restoring solid relations with the island-continent will take time, after the cancellation of a mega-contract for French submarines. “From now on, by experience, we will no longer believe fine words, promises of love”, highlighted the diplomat, which proved to be impactful during an intervention in front of the Press Club in Canberra. “Love is good. Having proof of love is much better.”
The ambassador, who had been recalled by Paris after the cancellation of the contract, estimated that “We can rebuild something substantial, but we’re starting a long way off. Unfortunately.”
On Tuesday, Emmanuel Macron’s entourage denounced the “very inelegant methods” of Canberra after the Australian press revealed an SMS sent by the French President to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison two days before the contract was terminated. “It’s an unprecedented low blow”, lamented the French ambassador, seeing “perhaps confirmation that we were not considered an ally”. At a press conference in Dubai on Wednesday, Scott Morrison tried to draw a line on this episode, saying it was time to “move on (…) Claims have been made and claims have been refuted, what is needed now is all to move forward.”