WAM Abu Dhabi, 8th June 2012 (WAM) -- UAE and France spare no effort to push their joint defence and military cooperation forward, a top French defence official has said.

''Relations between the UAE and France are growing stronger day after day not only at the regional level but also internationally. Libya was an important milestone in that partnership. We are joining hands at both governmental and diplomatic levels......

we are working together in Afghanistan and making steady progress there. The joint cooperation took off to a new height since the UAE-France base was established in the UAE two years ago,'' French Chief of Staff Admiral Edward Guo said in an interview with Dira' Al Watan magazine during his recent visit to the UAE to attend the Gulf 2012 military exercise.

According to him, the two countries have a longstanding history of joint military cooperation which we are determined to boost it further.

The two sides, he indicated, had discussed a wide range of issues regarding training of naval forces. ''We have worked together in areas of city wars and air war and France is a regular participant in annual military exercises.

Joint cooperation is going on at a high level of proficiency.

On the UAE role in delivery of humanitarian assistance across the world, The French commander viewed the UAE's humanitarian role as extremely important as one of the pioneering countries in the Arab and Islamic World.

''We sensed that role at time of peace as we did at time of war and we are very grateful to the UAE for providing humanitarian aid to those in need around the world,'' he noted.

WAM/TF