A shortage of international troops in Afghanistan reflects insufficient defense spending across most of Europe, French Defense Minister Herve Morin said Wednesday during a visit to Australia.
Morin echoed Australia''s criticisms that Europe must contribute more troops to the war against Islamic extremists in Afghanistan.
There "is not the thickness of a cigarette paper between the points of view of Australia and France on Afghanistan," Morin said through an interpreter after meeting with Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon in Canberra.
Fitzgibbon frequently criticizes unnamed European countries for not carrying a fair share of the growing military effort in the troubled Central Asian country.
Morin said the problem was that most European countries now rely on NATO for their defense.
"Europe, with the exception of Britain and France, has since quite a long time ago decided to disarm and to not allocate sufficient funding for defense and security," Morin told reporters at a joint press conference with Fitzgibbon.
Russia to create digital profiles of migrant workers
Torture of Moscow terror suspects recalls handling of St. Petersburg subway bombing case, rights activist say
Five killed, one injured in Ayni traffic accident
Thousands of teachers in Tajikistan forced to migrate because of low salaries
AKDN employees participate in tree planting ceremony in Khatlon province
Tajikistan decreases the foreign manpower quota for this year
The risk of border conflicts over resources is growing in Central Asia, says CSTO secretary-general
A citizen of Tajikistan accused of justifying a Crocus City Hall terror attack
All relatives of Faridoun Shamsiddin in Tajikistan taken away and his sister deported from Russia
Uzbekistan puts mosaic panels on the list of cultural heritage sites
All news
Авторизуйтесь, пожалуйста