Russian, French defense ministers discuss intelligence sharing as part of coordination on Syria
MOSCOW. Dec 21 (Interfax) - The defense ministers from France and Russia discussed a number of tools for coordinating efforts in Syria, including the mechanisms of fighting foreign mercenaries, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said.
"The purpose of our meeting is to develop a set of coordination tools which would enable us to fight ISIL [an organization banned in Russia] efficiently," he told reporters on Monday.
"Together with Mr Shoigu, we considered a whole host of methods we could use, not least exchange of information by our intelligence agencies in order to fight foreign mercenaries, who could target both France and Russia," the minister said.
"We have also developed a mechanism for intelligence exchange between the military," Le Drian said.
He noted the trustful nature of the meetings. "It was a pleasant meeting, it passed in the atmosphere of trust," he said.
"ISIL is our common enemy, it not only committed terror attacks in France, but it continues to threaten France," the minister said.