Australia and France sign military access agreement as post-Aukus tensions ease

Foreign affairs minister Penny Wong (right) with France’s minister for Europe and foreign affairs, Catherine Colonna, after signing a military access agreement. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Australia and France have promised to grant “enhanced” access to each other’s military bases and training facilities in a clear break from their post-Aukus blues.

Under a “roadmap” signed on Monday, France will gain increased access to Australian defence facilities, while the two sides will also carry out more complex joint military training activities and increase the sharing of intelligence.