The leaders of France and Australia have been trying to overcome a rough patch in their relations. They want to improve ties that soured after a defense deal fell through. Now, they are hailing what they call "a new chapter."

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Australia's newly elected Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Paris on Friday.

Albanese told reporters that Australia's relationship with France matters, and that trust, respect, and honesty also matter. He added that this is how he will approach his relations.

Macron said he and Albanese will speak about the future, not the past. He said the current prime minister is not responsible for the worsening of bilateral ties.

Last year, the administration of former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison canceled a multi-billion-dollar contract to buy diesel-powered submarines from France.
Instead, officials struck a deal with the US for nuclear-powered submarines.

French leaders accused them of "back-stabbing" and temporarily withdrew ambassadors from both countries.

Albanese announced last month that the two sides agreed on a settlement worth more than 580 million dollars. He and Macron pledged to cooperate on strategy in the Indo-Pacific -- and "all challenges facing the region."