The Romanian authorities can start the negotiations with the consortium Naval Group (France) - Santierul Naval Constanţa (Romania) for purchasing the four multi-role corvettes under the military endowment program, Romanian prime minister Ludovic Orban said on Thursday, July 23, Agerpres reported.

The contractors will build the corvettes for EUR 1.2 billion, compared to the EUR 1.6 billion starting price in the auction.

A Romanian court has already rejected by a final decision the appeal filed by the Dutch group Damen against the tender result. The PM described as a "harassment difficult to accept" the continuation of the court dispute by the Duch company.

The Bucharest Court rejected last October the appeal filed by Dutch shipbuilding group Damen after the Romanian Defense Ministry (MApN) awarded the contract for four multifunctional corvettes to the Naval Group of France and local Constanta Shipyard. The same court maintained its decision last week, Europa Libera reported.

editor@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Gov.ro)