Egypt, France to Strike Mistral Ship Deal Over Weekend

Egyptian Ambassador to France Ehab Badawi said that French Prime Minister Manuel Valls will come to Egypt to sign a purchase deal on two Mistral helicopter carriers that were initially built for Russia.

CAIRO (Sputnik) — Egypt and France are expected to sign off on the sale of two French-made Mistral warships during French Prime Minister Manuel Valls’ visit to Cairo this weekend, Egyptian Ambassador to France Ehab Badawi told media on Thursday.

Valls is due in Cairo on Saturday on invitation from Egypt’s former Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehlab. The senior French official will also meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi to discuss bilateral ties, before reportedly continuing his trip to Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Egypt’s national Middle East News Agency (MENA) said that, while in Cairo, the French prime minister will "witness the signing" of a purchase deal on two Mistral helicopter carriers that were initially built for Russia.

Egypt emerged as France’s replacement customer in September 2015 after Moscow and Paris terminated the $1.3-billion contract in August amid France's allegations of Russia's participation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Russia received around $1 billion in compensation for the unfulfilled deal.