France Appreciates Russia's Offer To Help Rebuild Notre Dame, No Decision Made Yet - Envoy

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 23rd April, 2019) Paris appreciates Moscow's proposal to assist in rebuilding the Notre Dame cathedral after it was partially destroyed by a devastating fire but a final decision regarding the rebuilding of the church has not been made yet, French Ambassador to Russia Sylvie Bermann told Sputnik.

The major fire broke out at Notre Dame on April 15, causing the collapse of the cathedral's spire and the destruction of its roof structure. On April 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron to express sympathy over the fire and offer assistance in rebuilding the landmark cathedral.

"We were moved by this proposal. We are aware of Russia's experience in this area and we respect it. But the decision regarding the rebuilding of Notre Dame has not been made yet. We first have to determine the condition of the cathedral, then the [French] president will announce national and international competitions. Therefore, it is early to tell who will be participating in the rebuilding [of Notre Dame]," Bermann said.

Macron said the Notre Dame cathedral would hopefully be rebuilt within five years.