Russian, French Defense Chiefs Meet on Relations

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, April 26, 2003

Russian, French Defense Chiefs Meet on Relations

Russian and French defense ministers met Friday in Moscow to discuss relations between their two countries in defense and security fields.

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Russian and French defense ministers met Friday in Moscow to discuss relations between their two countries in defense and security fields.

Russian-French relations in the defense and security sphere "are one of the most important elements of the general system of stability and security in Europe," Russian Defense Minister SergeiIvanov said, opening talks with his French counterpart Michele Alliot-Marie.

Moscow and Paris are also maintaining a "very open and frank" dialogue on issues directly related to global security, primarily in combating terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Ivanov said.

Alliot-Marie, who arrived in Moscow late Thursday for a two-day visit, called for strengthening military ties between the two countries.

"Defense relations between Russia and France are old and excellent," she said.

However, "considering the global situation and the new risks inthe world, they must be further reinforced " she noted.

The French minister also stressed the necessity for the two countries to take joint steps in peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

Russia and France, both veto-wielding members of UN Security Council, firmly opposed the US-led war against Iraq. They have intensified political and diplomatic cooperation in recent months, as well as cooperation in seeking the leading role for the United Nations in postwar reconstruction in Iraq after the fall of the Saddam Hussein regime.

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