Australia says will be patient on rebuilding ties with France

Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden spoke by telephone on Wednesday to smooth relations, and France said its ambassador would return to Washington next week

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he has tried to arrange a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron but has been unsuccessful so far, a week after his cancellation of a major submarine deal sparked a diplomatic row with Paris, Qazet.az reports quoting Reuters.

Morrison, speaking in Washington on Wednesday, said he would be patient in rebuilding ties with France.

Paris has recalled its ambassadors from Canberra and Washington, saying it was blindsided by Australia's decision to build nuclear-powered submarines with the United States and Britain rather than stick with its contract for French diesel submarines.

Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden spoke by telephone on Wednesday to smooth relations, and France said its ambassador would return to Washington next week.