From RIA Novosti:  Russia and France are strategic military partners, the French defense minister said Monday.

"Russia and France are strategic partners in the sphere of military and technical cooperation; we have achieved much but will not stop at this. We have many points of contact," Herve Morin said when visiting a Russian exposition at the Eurosatory 2010 defense industry exhibition in Paris.

Morin said he hopes cooperation will continue.

Eurosatory opened on Monday and will close on Friday. It has been held every two years since 1992. Eurosatory’s total area is 110,000 square meters. This year, 1,200 participants from 52 countries are expected. …

A spokesman for the show organizers told RIA Novosti that Vladimir Popovkin, a deputy chief of the Russian General Staff, will attend Eurosatory on Monday and hold talks with French companies. Talks on a Mistral purchase contract are also expected to be held.  (photo: Getty)

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