RUSSIA/FILE: EU and Finnish officials say talks to resolve bilateral trade dispute between Russia and Poland continue

Envoys from the European Union and Finland said in Moscow on Tuesday (November 21) that talks aimed at resolving a bilateral trade dispute between Russia and Poland were going on, ahead of an EU-Russia summit later this week. "Inside the European Union discussions are continuing to find a solution to take into account the Polish point of view on the two issues that have been left, so to say, on the table. One is the question of ratification on the Energy Charter and the other is the import ban on meat and vegetable products from Poland to Russia," Harry Helenius, Finland's ambassador to Russia told reporters at a news briefing. Finland holds the rotating presidency of the EU, and has actively been working behind the scenes to avert a Polish veto of an EU-Russia strategic partnership document, which is due to be signed in Helsinki on Nov. 24. "These contacts continue, we have a few days to go, and so we will work. And, I right now at this moment I cannot say anything else, that I would myself always an optimist. There is still time to have an agreement," Helenius said. Russia signalled, on Tuesday (November 21), that it expects the European Union to persuade Poland to withdraw a veto that would blight an EU-Russia summit this week, although the Poles said they will hold out for concessions. Poland has blocked the 25-nation European Union negotiating mandate for talks with Russia on the new strategic partnership, saying Moscow should end or promise to end a ban on Polish foods imports. EU president, Helenius has pledged to discuss how to end the ban with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a move to persuade Warsaw to lift its veto on the launch of negotiations, which requires EU unanimity. Russia banned imports of Polish meat and some other foods a year ago after discovering forged veterinary certificates. Russia says the ban on Polish foods is a bilateral issue taken in response to import fraud and it has rejected offers by the European Commission to mediate. Warsaw says the import ban is politically motivated, aimed at splitting the EU and discriminating against former Soviet satellite countries in eastern Europe that stand up to Moscow. Last week Polish officials called for sanctions to be imposed against Russia. "The proposal [by the Polish foreign minister] to the European Commission to impose sanctions on Russia, goes against all valid current international laws. Russia never broke any laws, not any international laws that would allow any economic, trade or political sanctions against Russia. This would be, excuse me for my strong language, politically and legally absurd," said Vassily Likhachev, deputy head of the international affairs committee, at Russia's upper house of parliament, the Federation Council. The EU executive has sent an expert mission to Poland to help settle the dispute. The team is assessing food safety and, if possible, will certify that products meet all EU standards. Poland and the EU have maintained that the Russian ban was unjustified, as Polish food is accepted across the continent. Poland also wants Russia to ratify an energy charter treaty including commitments on energy supplies and better investors' access to the Russian's energy sector, a step Moscow has said it will not take. "The European Union feels that the Energy Charter should be ratified and that the ban on Polish meat should be lifted as soon as possible," said head of the EU delegation in Russia, Marco Franco. Russia supplies almost 30 percent of the EU's energy and there are few alternative sources, causing concern among many politicians. But Franco added that the Polish demands should not be preconditions for talks with Russia.

ITN Source | November 22, 2006

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