Australia-France relationship
Australia and France share enduring bonds forged through two World Wars. Thousands of Australian and French soldiers fought side by side to defend shared values of liberty, democracy, rule of law and protection of human rights. These values are still at the core of our societies and underpin our international engagement.
Australia and France are nations of both the Pacific and the Indian Oceans. As neighbours, we share a long history of cooperation in the region, including French territories such as New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna and Réunion Island. We share a vision for a free, open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific, enabled through dialogue and joint initiatives with regional partners. Australia warmly welcomes France’s cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and its strategy for further engaging the region as well as the European Union’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and its commitment to long-term investment in the region.
Joint Statement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Macron, 1 July 2022
Further information about the France-Australia relationship can be accessed from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website.