Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Helsinki for a European Union summit on Friday under a cloud of trade tensions, faulting Brussels for failing to consult Moscow before accepting Romania and Bulgaria as new members. The two countries are set to join the EU on 1 January 2007.
At the heart of the dispute is Russia's ban on Polish meat and plant products, imposed a year ago after allegations that Polish firms had falsified food-inspection documents. Moscow has since threatened a broader ban covering all EU meat, dairy, and fish from facilities its veterinary inspectors have not cleared, to take effect 1 January.
Russian officials say they fear substandard Romanian and Bulgarian food products could enter Russia via Poland after accession. The EU's executive commission called the restrictions disproportionate and urged Moscow to lift the Polish ban as a priority.
Poland responded by vetoing the opening of negotiations on a new EU-Russia cooperation pact. Warsaw also cited Russia's refusal to ratify the EU Energy Charter Treaty, which would open Russian gas markets to foreign competitors, as a second reason for the veto.
Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga, speaking in Oslo, said Poland remained willing to reach a consensus, provided its core interests were taken into account.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in November 2006, in its own words.