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Lithuania seeks regional debate on French warship sales to Russia

© RIA NovostiFrench Mistral-class warship
French Mistral-class warship - Sputnik International
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The parliaments of North European and Baltic States should address the sale of French warships to Russia, Lithuania parliament speaker Irena Degutiene said on Wednesday.

The parliaments of North European and Baltic States should address the sale of French warships to Russia, Lithuania parliament speaker Irena Degutiene said on Wednesday.

"Lithuania is concerned by the agreement between France and Russia that will enable Russia to buy French Mistral-class warships with the related technology," the Seimas speaker said.

In late December, Russia and France officially announced they would jointly build two Mistral-class helicopter carriers at the STX shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Another two will be constructed later at the Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg.

Regional parliaments could start consultations between their foreign relations and national security committees, Degutiene said.

Degutiene first made that proposal to her Swedish counterpart Per Westerberg on January 13.

Westerberg backed her proposal and suggested consultations could be held in the course of joint parliamentary committee sessions in Brussels.

The first Mistral-class ship is expected to be built within 36 months after Russia makes a 720 million euro payment scheduled for January of this year.

A Mistral-class ship is capable of carrying 16 helicopters, four landing vessels, 70 armored vehicles, and 450 personnel.

VILNIUS, January 19 (RIA Novosti) 

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