Sarkozy opposed Agosta contract: French newspaper

PARIS: A former French official Patricia Laplaud has disclosed that Nicolas Sarkozy had not taken any commission in the controversial Agosta submarines sale contract rather the latter was against this transaction.

According to a French newspaper, Patricia Laplaud, a former policy officer at ministry of the budget, during an interview by the investigators said the then French ministry of budget was against the trade agreement for Agosta submarines sale to Pakistan.

The official said that many voices were raised against the signing of the Agosta contract. The then French minister for economy Edmond Alphandery and minister for budget Nicolas Sarkozy opposed the contract, she disclosed. Only the then defence minister Francois Leotard was in favour of the Agosta submarines sale contract, the newspaper quoted her as saying.