PARIS, Sept 24, 2021 (BSS/AFP) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told 
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday that he wants to "re-establish 
cooperation", Macron's office said amid a diplomatic crisis over a submarine 
contract with Australia.

  Macron was left furious last week after Australia ditched a mega-deal to 
buy diesel submarines from France in favour of American nuclear-powered ones 
-- secured during secret negotiations facilitated by Britain.

   In the conversation, which the Elysee said came at Johnson's request, the 
prime minister said he hoped for cooperation "in line with our values and our 
common interests," such as the battle against climate change, securing the 
Indo-Pacific region and the fight against terrorism.

   Macron told Johnson that "he is awaiting his proposals", his office said 
in a brief statement.

   French fury over what it sees as a "stab in the back" over the submarine 
contract saw Macron recall the French ambassadors to Washington and Canberra 
in an unprecedented diplomatic protest.

   But the French envoy in London remained at her post, with France's Europe 
Minister Clement Beaune dismissing London as a mere "third wheel" in the deal 
and a "junior partner" to the US.

   The submarine spat brought relations between Paris and London to their 
worst since Britain's 2016 vote to leave the European Union.

   Brexit has led to several disagreements between both nations, notably over 
fishing rights as well as the still vexing issue of trade between mainland 
Britain and the province of Northern Ireland.

   Migrant flows have also been a major irritant between Paris and London.

  There remains, however, a willingness on both sides to continue close 
cooperation in defence matters, experts say.