Biden, Macron discuss ‘European defense’ following AUKUS tensions

United States President Joe Biden spoke to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and addressed a “stronger European defense” among other things, according to a White House press release on Friday. The news comes nearly a month after the two countries shared strained relations over the formation of AUKUS, an alliance formed between United Kingdom, Australia and the United States. 

Biden and Macron reviewed “ongoing efforts by their teams to support stability and security in the Sahel and to enhance cooperation in the Indo-Pacific“, the White House said in the press release.

Also Read: US, France edge closer to reconciliation after AUKUS disagreement

The conversation between the two world leaders reaffirmed the European defense strategy while keeping the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the picture. Two out of three members of AUKUS — United States and United Kingdom– are also part of NATO, a military alliance majorly consisting of European nations.

The press release added, “President Biden looks forward to the meeting with President Macron in Rome later this month, where they will continue the conversation, take stock of the many areas of US-France cooperation, and reinforce our shared interests and common values as we take on challenges and opportunities together.”

The news comes a day after Australia and Britain defended their nuclear submarine deal with the United States amid concerns it could escalate tensions in the region and spark an arms race.

British Minister for Armed Forces James Heappey said there “has been a lot of overhyping” of the pact known as AUKUS. He said the UK and the US have been sharing such technologies for decades and that Australia’s decision to join was merely to develop its own submarine capability, according to reports from Associated Press.

Biden and Macron also spoke about Vice President Kamala Harris’ upcoming visit to France’s national capital next month and acknowledged it as a “key opportunity to further enhance US-France cooperation on a range of global challenges.”