France honored its obligation to keep Russia updated on Mistral deal - DCNS spokesman
MOSCOW/PARIS. Sept 24 (Interfax) - France informed Russia in advance about a deal to sell the Mistral-class helicopter carriers, originally built for Russia, to Egypt, as was required by the contract, a spokesman for French state-backed naval shipbuilder DCNS told Interfax.
"I confirm that we honored our commitments to keep Russia updated on this deal," he said.
However, only the Presidential Palace is authorized to say whether an official request was forwarded to Russia seeking permission to sell the helicopter carriers, he said.
It became known on Wednesday that Egypt has agreed to acquire the two Mistral-class helicopter carriers that France refused to deliver to Russia.
It was reported earlier that Paris would be able to resell these Mistral ships only with Moscow's approval.