PARIS (AP) — Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says that Europe and the United States must nurture their ties because “there is no more important force for progress, prosperity and peace than the trans-Atlantic alliance.”

Clinton, who was in Paris Monday for the publication of her book “Hard Choices” there, said “we have to constantly be nurturing it, helping it to stay on course.”

At a gathering hosted by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, Clinton said she was happy waiting to become a grandmother this fall, instead of dealing with papers like those on Fabius’ desk.

Noting last week’s Fourth of July celebrations, Clinton had warm words for France, which “took a chance on us” fighting in the Revolutionary War.

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