‘New Era’: Australia, France Pledge Deeper Pacific, Military Engagement

(L to R) Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, French Armies Minister Sebastien Lecornu, French Foreign and European Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong pose prior their joint meeting at Quai dOrsay in Paris, on Jan. 30, 2023. Yoan Valat/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Australian and French leaders have agreed to work towards restoring bilateral relations, agreeing to support Pacific priorities, including climate change while strengthening military cooperation.

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defence Minister Richard Marles met their French counterparts Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna and Armed Forces of France Minister Sebastien Lecornu in Paris on Jan. 31.