French Lawmakers to Review Mistral Cancellation Deal in Mid-September

According to the president of the National Assembly, it will be mid-September at least before French lawmakers will go over the deal to terminate the contract for the delivery of two French-made Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia.

PARIS (Sputnik) – It will be mid-September at least before French lawmakers will go over the deal to terminate the contract for the delivery of two French-made Mistral-class helicopter carriers to Russia, the president of the National Assembly, the lower house of the country's parliament, said Monday.

“This will happen after the parliamentary vacation period. We shall look over the text soon after [the National Assembly's] work recommences,” Claude Bartolone told RTL radio.

The lower house of the French parliament will resume its work on September 14.

Moscow and Paris signed a 1.2-billion-euro ($1.31 billion at current exchange rates) agreement for the purchase of two French Mistral-class helicopter carriers in 2011.

In November, Paris suspended the delivery of the first ship, citing Moscow's alleged participation in the Ukrainian conflict. Moscow has repeatedly denied the allegations.

Last week, Moscow and Paris formally terminated the contract. France has promised to reimburse Russia the entire sum that it paid for the ships, while French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian later said that the refund would amount to less than the original price.