Emmanuel Macron elected French President

The Australian Government congratulates Emmanuel Macron onhis election as the President of the Republic of France.

Australia enjoys a strong relationship with France,underpinned by common values and a shared vision for a secure and moreprosperous future. Our people-to-people links continue to grow and Australia's100,000-strong French community makes a vibrant contribution to ournation.

Our security and defence partnership was forged on thebattlefields of World War I and has been the cornerstone of our relationshipfor a century. Australia's Future Submarine Program continues this partnership.

We signed a Joint Statement of Enhanced StrategicPartnership during Foreign Minister Ayrault's visit to Australia in March,enhancing cooperation between our two countries on a range of global challengesincluding terrorism, transnational, serious and organised crime, proliferation,and climate change.

Australia and France also have a substantial trade andinvestment relationship, with two-way trade valued at $8.7 billion in 2015-16.Over 500 French companies operate in Australia, employing an estimated 60,000people.

TheAustralian Government looks forward to working with President-elect Macron tofurther bolster French-Australian relations. We thank outgoing PresidentFrancois Hollande for his commitment to enhancing the already close tiesbetween our countries including through his 2014 visit to Australia, the firstby a sitting French President.