This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6142418.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Poland could veto EU-Russia plan Poland holds up EU-Russia talks
(about 2 hours later)
EU foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to consider proposals on a new partnership with Russia covering energy, trade and human rights. Poland has vetoed the start of talks between the EU and Russia on a new partnership agreement covering energy, trade and human rights.
They are hoping to reach agreement in time to launch negotiations at an EU summit with Russia's President Vladimir Putin on 24 November. The move means that it is unlikely the talks can be launched as planned at an EU-Russia summit in two weeks' time.
However, Poland is threatening to veto the proposals unless Moscow lifts a ban on Polish meat imports. Poland says Russia must first lift a ban on Polish food imports and ratify a treaty on trade in energy products.
It also wants Russia to commit to an international energy pact. Officials say the EU's credibility will be damaged if a common position is not reached before the 24 November summit.
Russia supplies a quarter of the oil and gas consumed in the EU, and the proportion is set to rise sharply in coming decades.Russia supplies a quarter of the oil and gas consumed in the EU, and the proportion is set to rise sharply in coming decades.
Energy exports Polish Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said on Sunday that Russia was violating the current EU-Russia co-operation agreement by banning Polish meat, and many other foods.
The EU has been trying for years to get Russia to sign the Energy Charter Treaty without success. Polish reservations
But Russia has been unwilling to ratify the charter, which makes it easier for foreign companies to invest in the Russian energy sector. "We would like EU member states to show solidarity with Poland regarding Russia," he said, ahead of Monday's meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
The EU now wants to enshrine many of the treaty's principles into a wider co-operation agreement with Russia. After Poland wielded its veto, External Affairs Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said she hoped that it would still be possible for the EU to go into the EU-Russia summit with an agreed common position.
However, statements by Russian officials have shown the country's increasing interest in exporting gas and oil to Asian markets, stoking fears that Europe could lose out. However Poland "has not lifted its reservations," she said.
Russian oil and gas companies have benefited from high fuel prices in recent years and have become keen to expand their businesses. Poland's insistence that Russia should ratify the Energy Charter Treaty - which would help foreign companies invest in Russia's energy market - is no longer shared by all EU countries.
Russia has signed the treaty, and the EU has been trying for years to get Moscow to ratify it, without success.
The European Commission is now aiming to enshrine many of the treaty's principles into the new partnership and co-operation agreement with Russia, once the old one comes to an end next year.