French Defense Minister Herve Morin agreed. He said it is clear nothing has changed in Iranian nuclear policy, and so it is time to begin talking about new economic sanctions.

VOA - A. PessinUS Defense Secretary Robert Gates, French Defense Minister Herve Morin at a news conference in Paris, 10 Feb. 2010

The two defense ministers also discussed Afghanistan, with both defending France's role, even though it is adding only 80 trainers in the current round of NATO commitments. They noted France made more significant increases before last week's defense ministers' meeting in Istanbul. The two men also welcomed improvements in U.S.-French defense relations in recent years, including France's return to NATO's military command.

But they did not agree on everything. France is considering selling a large naval assault vessel to Russia. Secretary Gates declined to comment in detail, saying only they had had "a good and thorough exchange of views" on the subject. Minister Morin defended the plan, saying the West's old nemesis, Russia, has "changed deeply" in the past 20 years, and it is time to nurture a new relationship with it.