All news

Warsaw refuses to abide by St. Petersburg court decision on Polish consulate

According to Inpredservice, a company which manages Russia’s diplomatic properties, Poland’s Consulate General has not made rent payments for more than 20 years, failing to sign a lease agreement

WARSAW, March 17. /TASS/. The Polish Foreign Ministry doesn’t recognize the decision of the St. Petersburg arbitration court to evict Poland’s Consulate General in St.Petersburg from its premises in the city’s historical center because of overdue rent, Foreign Ministry spokesman Marcin Wojciechowski said on Tuesday.

According to Inpredservice, a company which manages Russia’s diplomatic properties, Poland’s Consulate General has not made rent payments for more than 20 years, failing to sign a lease agreement.

Meanwhile, the Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman said that, according to law, "a diplomatic mission could not be a party involved in a legal proceeding."

"Poland does not recognize the St. Petersburg court ruling. We interpret this decision as contravening international law," he added.

"The problems of Russia’s diplomatic estate are much more complicated than those of Poland in Russia. The Russian side must realize that in the event of an escalation of the situation we’ll take appropriate steps," the spokesman said.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Arbitration Court of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region has issued a writ of execution, which allows court enforcement officers to be involved in the eviction of Poland’s Consulate General from its premises in the city center.

The Polish diplomats have been offered several addresses to choose from in the premises with a lower rent.