According to the Financial Times Deutschland, AXA COLONIA, German subsidiary of the French group AXA, will sell its minority stake in KÖLNISCHER RUECKVERSICHERUNG to the American GENERAL RE for a total of between EUR 660 and 770 million. The transaction must take place before the beginning of 2002. Following the operation, KÖLNISCHER RUECKVERSICHERUNG will be 88.2% held by GENERAL RE.