Russia will retain the building of the Soviet trade representation in Cologne.

Russia has agreed to pay a German businessman Frans Zedelmayeru 2.9 million euros, thus avoiding the auction sales of the Soviet Union in Cologne, writes the newspaper Kommersant on 18 December, with reference to the word itself businessman.
On Wednesday before the auction in Cologne, which was exhibited part of the complex, the Russian side had reached an agreement with Zedelmayerom, resulting in the building trade representation will remain the property of the Russian Federation.
Recall during the 1990's German businessman for their money reconstructed mansion in St. Petersburg, received in 1991 for lease by 25 years of GUVD St. Petersburg as a contribution to the institution of the joint venture. However, in 1995, the building department's residence was transferred to the Office of Presidential Affairs.
Zedelmayer demanded reimbursement of their costs for the renovation of the building, and in 1998 an international commercial arbitration in Stockholm ruled in his favor to recover 2.3 million dollars. Taking into account percent in 2008, the amount was 4.9 million euros. Russia sought to repeal the decision in European courts of higher jurisdiction, but to no avail.
In response to the Stockholm court ruling, the German authorities seize Russian state property in Cologne and put up for auction part of the complex trade area of the 2 796 square meters valued at 2.84 million euros.
At the same time the Russian side denies that the payment of money, while recognizing that preserving the ownership of the building from the Russian Federation. According to the press secretary the administration of President Viktor RF Hrekova were paid only legal fees of $ 23 thousand euros.