PARIS (Sputnik) – French authorities prevented the possible seizure of Russia’s historic Sedov and Kruzenshtern traditional sailing ships converted into sail training vessels, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said Wednesday.
The two four-masted barques are expected to take part in this week’s Brest International Maritime Festival. Concerns arose that bailiffs would impound the vessels as part of the defunct Yukos oil company’s bankruptcy case.
"In accordance with the law of August 8, 1994, cultural valuables on loan by a foreign power, social organization or cultural institution with the purpose of public exhibition in France cannot be confiscated throughout the entire period of their transfer to the French state or its designated legal entity," Nadal said in response to a RIA Novosti question.
Nadal cited a June 27 special ministerial resolution exempting the Sedov and Kruzenshtern from confiscation.
