LOC20:26
17:26 GMT
PARIS, March 20 (KUNA) -- French officials said on Thursday that Paris will
wait until October next to decide the fate of huge military contracts signed
with Russia.
Defence Ministry sources said that no decision needs to be taken
immediately and France has not said it would cancel the contracts but would
only postpone them pending resolution of the current crisis over Crimea and
Ukraine.
French shipyards are currently building two "Mistral" class, giant landing
craft at the Saint Nazaire dock in northwest France. The contract was valued
at Euros 1.2 billion and one vessel is doing sea trials, while a second ship
is under construction.
Officials indicated that the future of the contracts would depend on
developments in relations with Russia. Similarly, the arrival here next May of
400 Russian sailors to train on the new boats is also contingent on how things
develop, the official said.
President Francois Hollande, attending the EU summit in Brussels Thursday
and Friday, earlier called for suspending political relations with Russia and
preparing tougher sanctions against Russian targets if there is not
de-escalation in the situation.
In reaction to the French position, Russian officials said in local media
that they would seek damages from France if the boat contract is not honoured.
(end)
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