French MPs have backed a multi-million-dollar agreement with Russia over the axed sale of two warships Under the deal, France will reimburse some €949.7 million to Russia over the termination of a €1.2-billion ($1.3 billion) contract for the sale of two French ‘Mistral’ helicopter carriers An unusually empty National Assembly – France's lower house –adopted the measure by 13 votes to 8 on Thursday, rubber-stamping an agreement signed on August 5 between France and Russia after eight months of intense negotiationsUnder the agreement, Paris announced payment to Moscow of an amount slightly lower than €1 billion, which corresponds to advances paid by Russia to purchase the two French vessels.
According to the French presidency, some €949.7 million has already been paid by the Bank of France to the Russian Central Bank France will have full ownership and free disposal of the Russian equipment already installed on the ships.
The government, it seems to me, has handled a difficult situation the best way possible, maintaining our diplomatic and financial interests", said Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, at the opening of the session The contract between Russia and France to deliver two Mistral helicopter carriers was signed between the French company DCNS and Russia's Rosoboronexport in 2011 and approved by then-French president, Nicolas Sarkozy.
The deal is the first contract signed by a NATO member country to supply Russia with military equipment.
On August 5, both French and Russian presidencies issued statements confirming the settlement deal, saying "the matter was closed
MEHMET ALİ ARSLAN TİMES
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