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NEW YORK (AP) – As powerful NATO allies disagree over a submarine sale, the group leader suggested on Tuesday that members should focus on “the big picture” and not let the dispute between France and the United States and Britain open a continuing rift.
A deal between the US and UK to supply nuclear-powered submarines to Australia – which was to instead buy diesel-powered submarines from a French company – is screaming France, with support diplomats from the European Union. But NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg did not take sides in an interview on Wednesday, instead emphasizing cohesion around the alliance’s main goals.
“I fully understand the disappointment of France. At the same time, NATO allies agree on an overview of the most important challenges, namely that we must stand united “to tackle common challenges, including a shift in the global balance of powers, he told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Stoltenberg said he is confident that France, the UK and the US “will find a way forward and not make this disagreement create lasting problems for the alliance, as we all see the need to allies to stay united and continue to modernize and adapt. NATO.
French officials have repeatedly denounced the deal as a betrayal, with Defense Minister Florence Parly describing it on Tuesday as “a breach of trust between allies and a strategic turning point”. European Union foreign ministers expressed their solidarity with France after a meeting on the sidelines of the assembly Monday evening.
Australia argues that the submarine deal was meant to protect its strategic interests amid widespread concern over China’s growing assertiveness. The UK and US have insisted the disagreement should not undermine their overall relations with France, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying the deal was not meant to be a ‘sum null â€and is“ not something that anyone needs to worry about and especially not our French friends.
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