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/6668111.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Rows overshadow EU-Russia talks Rows overshadow EU-Russia talks
(about 1 hour later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting EU leaders in southern Russia amid tension between the two sides.Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting EU leaders in southern Russia amid tension between the two sides.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the union's rotating presidency, is leading the EU team at the summit in the city of Samara.German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the union's rotating presidency, is leading the EU team at the summit in the city of Samara.
She warned that it would yield no concrete results, but said talks might get to the bottom of disagreements.She warned that it would yield no concrete results, but said talks might get to the bottom of disagreements.
Disputes have arisen over the status of Kosovo, energy supplies, trade, and ties between Russia and Estonia.Disputes have arisen over the status of Kosovo, energy supplies, trade, and ties between Russia and Estonia.
An EU official attending the talks told the BBC that the tension was palpable. It is better to talk with each other than about each other Angela MerkelGerman Chancellor class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6665309.stm">Sticky issues for summit An EU official attending the talks told the BBC that the tension was palpable.
And in a separate development, Moscow police prevented former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and other opposition leaders from flying to Samara to attend a protest rally near the summit.And in a separate development, Moscow police prevented former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and other opposition leaders from flying to Samara to attend a protest rally near the summit.
VetoVeto
Initially the main summit issue was the security of Europe's energy supplies - much of which come from Russia.Initially the main summit issue was the security of Europe's energy supplies - much of which come from Russia.
But the BBC's Richard Galpin, who is in Samara, says there are now sharp differences over the future status of Kosovo, on how to resolve a trade dispute with Poland and over Estonia's treatment of ethnic Russians.But the BBC's Richard Galpin, who is in Samara, says there are now sharp differences over the future status of Kosovo, on how to resolve a trade dispute with Poland and over Estonia's treatment of ethnic Russians.
Sticky issues for summit
Ms Merkel, who had dinner with Mr Putin on Thursday, said: "It is better to talk with each other than about each other."Ms Merkel, who had dinner with Mr Putin on Thursday, said: "It is better to talk with each other than about each other."
She added: "There are no direct results that can be expected but we will get clues about the reasons for our different opinions."She added: "There are no direct results that can be expected but we will get clues about the reasons for our different opinions."
In a break with previous practice, no joint declaration has been prepared.In a break with previous practice, no joint declaration has been prepared.
Nor will the two sides be able to begin delayed talks on a new strategic partnership agreement, because of a veto imposed by Poland, now supported by Lithuania.Nor will the two sides be able to begin delayed talks on a new strategic partnership agreement, because of a veto imposed by Poland, now supported by Lithuania.
Human rights recordHuman rights record
The veto follows Russia's decision last year to block meat imports from Poland over apparent food safety issues.The veto follows Russia's decision last year to block meat imports from Poland over apparent food safety issues.
The EU has also said it could withhold final approval of Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization until trade tariff problems are resolved.The EU has also said it could withhold final approval of Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization until trade tariff problems are resolved.
A major factor in the deterioration of relations has been Estonia's removal last month of a World War II monument to Red Army soldiers in central Tallinn.A major factor in the deterioration of relations has been Estonia's removal last month of a World War II monument to Red Army soldiers in central Tallinn.
The event sparked unrest by ethnic Russians in Estonia, and a blockade of the Estonian embassy in Moscow.The event sparked unrest by ethnic Russians in Estonia, and a blockade of the Estonian embassy in Moscow.
More recently, EU leaders have expressed alarm about Russian threats to veto a UN Security Council resolution proposing Kosovo's independence from Serbia.More recently, EU leaders have expressed alarm about Russian threats to veto a UN Security Council resolution proposing Kosovo's independence from Serbia.
Russia's record on human rights is also an issue at the summit.Russia's record on human rights is also an issue at the summit.
A protest by opposition groups has been allowed to go ahead in Samara, but leaders, including Mr Kasparov, had their passports and tickets removed by police as they tried to board a plane at Moscow airport. Several foreign journalists were also reportedly prevented from travelling.A protest by opposition groups has been allowed to go ahead in Samara, but leaders, including Mr Kasparov, had their passports and tickets removed by police as they tried to board a plane at Moscow airport. Several foreign journalists were also reportedly prevented from travelling.
Organisers said they were not expecting more than 1,000 people to attend, and a demonstration by pro-Kremlin groups will go ahead simultaneously.Organisers said they were not expecting more than 1,000 people to attend, and a demonstration by pro-Kremlin groups will go ahead simultaneously.