Peru, France sign defence agreements

Peru and France signed here Monday two cooperation agreements on defense and protection of information and sensitive materials, said the Defense Ministry. The deals were signed by Peruvian Defense Minister Pedro Cateriano and his French counterpart, Jean Yves Le Drian, during a ceremony held in the headquarters of the Peruvian Army. The agreements, the ministry said in a statement quoting Cateriano, were a result of the broad dialogue between Peru and France at an optimal time of the bilateral diplomatic ties. "The French government has committed to send a mission of academic support for Chorrillos Military School. This is very significant because in the past this school had French support," said Cateriano. Le Drian said his government is willing to offer technical support in the fight against illegal mining in Peru, according to the statement.