Polands veto on EU-Russia summit---your opinions?

Politics

Poland may not lift its veto on EU-Russia summit
Warsaw, Poland November 21, 2006

Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said on Monday that Poland may not lift its veto of talks on a new cooperation agreement between Russia and the EU if Moscow does not lift its embargo of Polish meat and agricultural exports.

"Poland must protect its national interests," Kaczynski said.

Poland has vetoed an upcoming between Russia and the EU that will aim to replace the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement, which expires in 2007.

Poland is demanding that Moscow lift its embargo on Polish agricultural exports and first sign a new Energy Charter with Europe.

Talks on a new Cooperation Agreement were to begin in Helsinki this Friday.

Kaczynski said, "If we agreed [to give way to Russia], it would mean that Russia, which is a major partner of the EU, could regard Poland as if it were not a EU member."

Russia banned agricultural imports from Poland last year, citing health code violations. Poland feels the embargo is in retaliation for Poland's support of the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine in late 2004.
(The Warsaw Voice)

1. The Old Cooperation Agreement is in force when new one is not started. I thing old works for Russia quite well, so no point for rushing.

2. If it will be delayed for more than year, it can because more problems like. Shtoman's gas field exploiting can be delayed. If no market what point to invest?

3. I don't know if there political or economical reasons behind of the ban. As Poland exports a lot to products Russia, and it seems that the main export wasn't affected, then it can be questionable.

4. Two side negotiations is a fastest way to resolve the problem.