US-France relations sound, says Obama

crisis and how to improve growth.
The US president said he had assured his French counterpart that the “friendship and alliance between the US and France is not only . . .  important to me but is deeply valued by the American people.”
The French leader reminded Obama of a promised withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan by the end of year, but said France would provide support in other ways.
“I recalled to President Obama that I had made a promise to withdraw our combat troops from Afghanistan at the end of 2012,” Hollande said at the White House.
“I also stipulated that there would still be support in another form.”
The French pledge to withdraw their 3 500 troops from Afghanistan a year ahead of schedule adds a further complication to NATO’s carefully crafted plan to turn over security to Afghans in 2014. — AFP.