Britain and France Should Stand Together

Summary:

Wherever one looks, London and Paris are arguing – whether about fishing rights, migration or trade. Until September, defence co-operation had been less affected by Brexit-related tension than other parts of the relationship – but then Australia cancelled its €56 billion contract for French submarines, and announced that it would buy nuclear submarines from the UK or US instead. This so-called AUKUS pact led French ministers to question the UK’s reliability as a defence partner. Now Boris Johnson reportedly wants “a new strategic alliance” with France – though the substance remains vague. Both parties would have to compromise on core principles to reach any significant agreement.

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• Alternative Source

ESO Records

Kings College London Policy Institute: Nov. 2018: Report of the UK-France Taskforce, November 2018 https://www.europeansources.info/record/the-uk-france-defence-and-security-relationship-how-to-improve-cooperation-report-of-the-uk-france-taskforce-november-2018/

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