MOSCOW. Sept 9 (Interfax) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has reaffirmed Moscow's readiness for closer cooperation with Paris at a meeting with French Defense Minister Florence Parly on Monday.
"You and I had a meaningful conversation on September 3 and discussed plenty of issues pertaining to common interests and security in Europe. We exchanged opinions on key items on the agenda of today's meeting," Shoigu said.
The presidents of Russia and France agreed to resume contacts between their defense ministries at the meeting in Bregancon. "Not so much time has passed, but we have made some headway towards reconciling our positions," he said.
Shoigu said he shared the wish with his French colleague "to achieve tangible results and to give a fresh impetus to our relations in the strategic area today."
"Let me tell you that we are ready to develop our cooperation to the extent our French colleagues are prepared to go," Shoigu said.
The recent talks between the Russian and French general staff chiefs reaffirmed the mutual intention, he said.