LOC13:06
10:06 GMT
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 (KUNA) -- Australian Defense Minister Peter Dutton affirmed on Sunday that his country was "upfront, open and honest" with Paris about its concerns over the French submarine deal that Canberra abandoned after announcing a security partnership with the US and UK.
Dutton said in a statement to Sky News television that Australia raised concerns with France about the deal, estimated at USD 66 billion in 2016, saying, "it's not going to be a cheap project.
"Suggestions that the concerns hadn't been flagged by the Australian government, just defy, frankly, what's on the public record and certainly what they've said publicly over a long period of time," he added.
In another statement, Australian Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said that Canberra had informed Paris of its concerns about canceling the deal, noting that cancellation negotiations were confidential.
Australia has abandoned its 2016 French submarine deal with France's Naval Group and on Thursday announced a plan to build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines using US and UK technology in a partnership.
This move angered France, an ally of the US and UK in the North Atlantic Treaty, which prompted it to recall its ambassadors from Washington and Canberra, as it also angered China. (end)
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