Rudd signs new pact with Paris

MRH-90 helicopter - photo Eurocopter

January 20, 2012 by: MARK DODD - The Australian

FRANCE and Australia have agreed to closer defence, economic and political cooperation in a new pact signed in Paris by Kevin Rudd.

The Foreign Minister and his French counterpart, Alain Juppe, signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement yesterday saying the initiative would deliver closer bilateral relations.

This was the ministers' third meeting in 12 months, marking a continuing trend of closer relations between the two countries.

Military cooperation between Australia and France has been steadily increasing since Canberra's decision to buy French-designed MRH-90 helicopters and A-330 tanker aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force.

The French Air Force has also participated in Excercise Pitch Black, the RAAF's largest biennual exercise conducted in the Top End.

Yesterday's talks focused on developments in Libya, Afghanistan and the Middle East where both countries share a strategic stake.
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Political reforms by Burma's ruling military junta were also discussed including National League for Democracy plans to contest more than 40 seats in elections scheduled for April 1.

The two ministers will also open "Australia Day" organised by CampusFrance, during which the challenges of Franco-Australian university cooperation and the Australian higher education system and its internationalisation will be presented, said a French Embassy statement.