Berlin voices support for France in AUKUS submarine row 

Germany, (dpa.com) 21 September 2021-EU powerhouse Germany says France being snubbed by Australia in favour of a partnership with the US and the UK is a signal to continental European nations to stand together and boost self-reliance.

France invoked EU solidarity after Australia cancelled a $40 billion contract for French-made attack submarines in favour of US-made nuclear-powered boats. The deal, which was announced as part of the so-called AUKUS co-operation mechanism also involving Britain, blindsided France. German European Affairs Minister Michael Roth called the ongoing row a “wake-up call” for the EU.

“We cannot exclusively rely on others but must co-operate, and we have to overcome our differences [within the EU] and speak with one voice,” the minister told reporters in Brussels on Tuesday. 

He added that “the lost trust has to be rebuilt, and it will obviously not be easy”.

Other European officials expressed similar sentiments ahead of the summit.