Blinken, Le Drian Hold Talks in Paris

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a talks with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian in Paris, US Department of State announced on Tuesday.

Both officials agreed upon keeping exchanging consultations, in addition to keeping on touch regarding the situation in Afghanistan.

Moreover, they affirmed the importance of cooperation and coordination regarding the developments in the Indo-Pacific and the Sahel region.

Blinken, and Le Drian also asserted the vital role the US would play next year when France holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union such as deepening the ties between NATO's state members.

Blinken tweeted: "Enjoyed a productive discussion with French Foreign Minister Le Drian on addressing shared economic and development challenges, as well as regional issues in the Indo-Pacific, the Sahel, and Afghanistan."

https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1445371324768083971?t=MCg4Hzga-EHwcUAtnpj5nA&s=19

It is worthy to mention that both countries had a diplomatic feud over Australia's latest nuclear-equipped submarines.

Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke for the first time with French President Emmanuel Macron since diplomatic crisis.

A joint statement between the United States and France after the 30-minute call said the two leaders “agreed that the situation would have benefitted from open consultations among allies on matters of strategic interest to France and our European partners.”

“President Biden conveyed his ongoing commitment in that regard,” the statement said.

The American President appeared to acknowledge missteps in how the United States approached the talks. In their call, the two president agreed to meet in person at the end of next month in Europe.

“The two leaders have decided to open a process of in-depth consultations, aimed at creating the conditions for ensuring confidence and proposing concrete measures toward common objectives,” the statement read.

In addition, Biden voiced support for “the importance of a stronger and more capable European defense,” a longtime priority for Macron.

On his part, Macron also agreed to return his ambassador to Washington after recalling him for consultations in Paris.

He had mostly withheld comment publicly on the dispute, waiting to air his rage directly to Biden. However, other officials in his government have spared nothing in describing France’s shock and fury at the submarine agreement, which deprived France of a major contract of its own and left Paris feeling excluded and diminished.