Chief of Naval Operations Spokesperson Cmdr. Courtney Hillson provided the following readout:
Today, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with Chief of the French Navy Adm. Pierre Vandier in Venice, Italy, at the Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium.
The two leaders discussed maritime security, the significance of operating interchangeably, and the value of the U.S.-French bilateral relationship and NATO alliance. Gilday and Vandier both participated in the same speaking panel at the symposium, "From Naval Power to Maritime Power: Integrating Efforts in a Whole-Nation Multidimensional Approach," which focused on the importance of a rules-based international maritime system.
The U.S. Navy and French navy regularly operate together around the globe. Notably, both navies participated in this year's Rim of the Pacific and Baltic Operations exercises, as well as supported numerous real-world joint operations.
Gilday and Vandier last met in June 2022, when Gilday hosted him for a formal visit in Washington, D.C..
