France defends return into NATO´s military command

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-12-2009 08:58

French politicians have defended the country's anticipated return into NATO's integrated military command. The move comes after an absence of more than four decades.

French and US patrol vehicles under NATo-Command move in convoy near Tagab city in Afghanistan's Kapisa province in February.(AFP/File/Joel Saget)

The politicians spoke in defense of the decision at a high-level military conference in Paris on Wednesday.

At the conference on France, European defence and NATO in the 21st Century, French politicians denied that full participation in NATO would compromise the country's independence.

Instead, they say the nation's return will benefit all sides.

Herve Morin, Frech Minister of Defense, said, "The alliance will benefit from the relationship between France and NATO. But Europe will benefit from it too and France will benefit from it as well. It will be done without challenging France's independence."