France, US affirm strong bilateral relations

France and the United States reviewed and affirmed, Friday, their strong defense bonds and strategic partnerships between the two nations. This came in a meeting between French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin at the Ministry's headquarters in the Hotel de Brienne, where they celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, and the upcoming state visit of US President Joe Biden on Saturday, the French Ministry of Defense stated. Lecornu and Austin highlighted the bilateral relations the two nations shared in regards to defense and strategic partnerships based on the joint Declaration of Intent to strengthen Franco-American cooperation signed on November 30, 2022, aimed towards space, internet, information warfare, and defense trade. They also discussed the latest developments regarding Ukraine, the Near and Middle East, India, and the Pacific Ocean region. The two defense ministers reviewed the support they had provided to Ukraine since February 2022, underli ning their commitment to deliver aid in all forms, especially military and defense aid, to Kiev. They expressed their reservations regarding the tensions between of Lebanon and the Israeli occupation, and between the Indian and Pacific oceans where they are attempting to promote multilateralism, regional cooperation, freedom of movement, and respect for international law. Lecornu and Austin also discussed the threats posed by the ballistic nuclear missiles in North Korea. Source: Kuwait News Agency