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Russia-France Mistral dispute

Breach of Mistral contract criticized by French ex-foreign minister

France has either to deliver the ships or pay the penalty, says former French foreign minister and former chairman of the French Constitutional Council Roland Dumas

© EPA/Marcus Brandt

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PARIS, February 16. /TASS/. Former French foreign minister and former chairman of the French Constitutional Council Roland Dumas has criticized the French authorities who breached the terms of a contract on the supply of the Mistral helicopter carriers to Russia.

Speaking in a live broadcast on BFM TV television on Monday, Dumas said that France ought to deliver the Mistrals to Russia as was stipulated by the contract.

Dumas reminded of Russia's role as a great world power, which could not be disregarded, he said. He also reminded of a contract France had signed with Russia. The ex-foreign minister explained that any signature put under a contract no matter in what field it was signed means that the promised delivery ought to be carried out; otherwise, the side responsible ought to pay the penalty for breaking the agreement, Dumas said.

The terms on which the Mistrals were to be delivered to Russia were stipulated in the contract, Dumas said. Now, France has either to deliver the ships or pay the penalty; there is no other way, he said.

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