WASHINGTON, July 15, 2016 — This morning, Defense Secretary Ash Carter called French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian to offer his and the entire Department of Defense's deepest condolences to the French people, the families of the victims and the French government for yesterday's attack in Nice, according to a statement issued today by Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook. 

Pledges Support

Carter also expressed his and the department's solidarity with France, and pledged his support to intensify joint efforts against terrorism, Cook said.

Cook said Carter and Le Drian agreed to discuss the attack and the response next week in Washington when Carter will gather the defense ministers from the counter-Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant military coalition.

The defense ministerial at Joint Base Andrews will discuss the next steps in the military campaign and the requirements needed to further accelerate the defeat of ISIL, Cook said.