The instrument aims to implement decisions of the UN Security Council, whose resolution on Afghanistan envisages assistance to countries whose contingents are involved in Afghan peacekeeping.
"It is hard any longer to describe our countries' relations as partnerly-they have attained a new level, of strategic partnership. We highly appreciate our intensive bilateral contacts and links on the international arena alike.
"Today, we have tremendously contributed to the anti-terror cause by signing this agreement, aimed at stabilisation in Afghanistan, which quite recently was a terrorist den," Mr. Lavrov said at the signing ceremony.
The agreement entered into force in Russia the instant it was signed, he added.
"By signing the present agreement, Russia and France are promoting Afghan stability and rehabilitation. Its signing expresses our two countries' mutual confidence and brotherhood," Mr. Cadet said, in his turn.
As the French and Russian Foreign Ministries say in a joint statement, "The Russian and French Parties declare their readiness to carry on their partnership, and launch in due time consultations for railway transits of military property and personnel of the French Republic via the Russian Federation."
"This agreement is of major importance to us as, with this, we are promoting a return of stability and security to Afghanistan," stressed the ambassador.
France has been part of the international operation in Afghanistan since its very start. 900 French soldiers are currently stationed there, he emphatically added.
"We greet this Russian gesture, and regard it as token of friendship and solidarity," said Jean Cadet.
"Russia and France view the signing of this agreement as an essential tool of bilateral partnership in combat against international terrorism," Alexander Yakovenko, official spokesman of Russia's Foreign Ministry, said on a previous occasion.
Russia and Germany signed a similar agreement, October 2003.It authorises air transits of the German military personnel via Russia with no en route landings in the latter, though such landings are compulsory in transits of arms, technologies and other military property.
