U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a policy speech in central Paris on Friday, calling on NATO allies to strengthen trans-Atlantic partnership while also stressing cooperation with Russia.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) speaks during a press conference held jointly with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Paris Jan. 29, 2010. [Zhang Yuwei/Xinhua]

Clinton's afternoon speech at France's military academy touched a wide range of international issues. She reaffirmed European partners that the security of Europe was "an anchor of U.S. foreign and security policy."

"A strong Europe is critical to our security and our prosperity, " she said.

To address "some of the greatest challenges in human history, we are required to modernize and strengthen our (trans-Atlantic) partnership for this new era," she said.

Clinton used France's rejoining the NATO command last year as an optimum opportunity to emphasize the significance of reinforcing NATO alliance.

"We will work even more closely now that France is fully participating in NATO's integrated command structure," she said, suggesting tighter French-American coordination.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton smiles during a press conference held jointly with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in Paris Jan. 29, 2010. [Zhang Yuwei/Xinhua]

In her speech, Clinton called on NATO allies to broaden and deepen cooperation with Russia.

"We are engaged in productive discussions with our European allies about building a new missile defense architecture that will defend all of NATO territory against ballistic missile attack," she said.

"Missile defense, we believe, will make this continent a safer place. That safety could extend to Russia if Russia decides to cooperate with us," Clinton added.

Affirming "European leadership in the 21st century," the U.S. secretary of state issued a clear signal that the United States needs Europe as a firm ally on various important international issues, such as Afghanistan, climate change, global economy, and pandemic diseases.

Clinton arrived in Paris after attending a two-day conference on Afghanistan and Yemen in London. Before delivering the speech, she met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and also had a working dinner with her French counterpart Bernard Kouchner.

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