Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has declared "a new chapter" in Australia's relationship with France as he was welcomed in Paris by President Emmanuel Macron.
Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon were warmly greeted at the Elysee Palace by Macron and his wife Brigitte on Friday.
Albanese said the invitation from Macron represented "a new chapter" in the countries' relationship, which was severely bruised during the Morrison government.
"Australia's relationship with France matters. Trust, respect and honesty matters," he said.
"This is how I will approach my relations."
When asked if Albanese should apologise for the cancelled submarines deal under the last government, Macron told reporters: "We speak about the future, not the past. He's not responsible (for) what happened."
Macron said he looked forward to working with Albanese.
"All of that marks our willingness to rebuild a relationship based on trust between our two countries, based on mutual respect … but also a relationship based on strategic and historical partnership," he said.
"Allow me to recall that here, because nobody has forgotten in France the fight led by tens of thousands of young Australian people who came to fight up with us in the trenches … almost a century ago … we will never forget the brotherhood that was born in this common battle.
"This history now continues with the return of the war on the European continent."
Albanese also said Australia's relationship with France was important as a global collaboration to address climate change.
"I lead a new Australian government which has a mandate for strong action on climate change. My government wants to be an active part of the global solution and understands that while this does represent the challenge, it is also an opportunity for economic transformation as well as environmental protection.
"France will be a crucial partner in achieving Australia's new ambitions.
"Australia and France look forward to broadening other areas of exchange and are opening up a new chapter in our relationship.
"Today I'm proud to stand alongside President Macron to commit to deepening our collaboration in defence and security, resilience and climate, and education and culture."
Mission to rebuild bond
Earlier, Albanese had said was on a mission to re-build Australia's relationship with France to "what it should be"
It's the first time the two leaders have had talks at this level since the axed submarine deal between Australia and France under the Morrison government.
Albanese and Macron spoke privately in Madrid this week on the sidelines of the special NATO summit.
Ahead of the meeting in France, Albanese would not be drawn over whether he would apologise for breaking the submarine deal, instead stating it is all about the future.
"What I want to do, though, is to make sure that we can look forward," he told reporters.
"Look forward in a way that builds the relationship to what it should be.
"It should be a relationship in which we can rely upon each other as we have for a long period of time and in which we can trust each other."
France is the current president of the European Union, which means Australia needs the country's support in order to secure a free trade deal with the EU by early next year.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMipQFodHRwczovL3d3dy45bmV3cy5jb20uYXUvbmF0aW9uYWwvcHJpbWUtbWluaXN0ZXItYW50aG9ueS1hbGJhbmVzZS10by1tZWV0LXdpdGgtZnJlbmNoLXByZXNpZGVudC1lbW1hbnVlbC1tYWNyb24tYXQtZWx5c2VlLXBhbGFjZS9mODViMGQxNi03MjkyLTQ5N2EtYTQ3Ny1mZmIyZDE0NDdiN2PSAQA?oc=5
2022-07-01 15:45:07Z
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