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Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Call With French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly to reinforce the importance of the strategic alliance between our two countries. 

The Secretary and the Minister discussed a range of issues, including security and stability in Africa, the need for continued vigilance against terrorism, the pandemic, and the situation in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as the broader Middle East.  They also discussed shared interests in the Indo-Pacific region.   

On the security situation in Africa, the Secretary and the Minister agreed on the importance of cooperation in fighting terrorism in the Sahel. 

The Secretary thanked the Minister for France’s leadership on global security and defense issues, and said he looks forward to continued dialogue in the future as the United States and France work together to strengthen NATO deterrence and deepen the transatlantic link.