French president's office said June 23

French president's office said June 23 that France would gradually withdraw troops stationed in Afghanistan, the timing of the 22 announced U.S. troop withdrawal plan similar.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in a statement the Office of the NATO member states, France will take "appropriate ways and with a timetable for U.S. withdrawal similar to" gradually withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.

Barack Obama in the White House announced the evening of 22 U.S. troops withdraw from Afghanistan "three-step" program, which will be withdrawn in July this year, 10,000 soldiers; summer of 2012, 33,000 combat troops withdraw from Afghanistan, Afghanistan U.S. military mission from combat to support; withdrawal in 2014, announced after the end of the war in Afghanistan.

France, the Elysee Palace said in a statement, Obama announced the withdrawal plan carried out with Sarkozy before the telephone communication, to discuss bilateral commitment to Afghanistan, "Sarkozy stressed that France is in favor of analysis and planning the United States, and Austria Alabama welcomed the decision. "