The Polish move prevented EU foreign ministers from finalizing the bloc's negotiating position for an economic cooperation deal with Russia to replace a less ambitious 1997 accord.

It was hoped talks could begin at a Nov. 24 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki.

But Polish Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga said Russia's ban on Polish imports violated its current cooperation accord with the EU and that in energy trade Moscow threatened Poland's "overall energy security."

Separately, the EU said it wants to see Russia do more on ending fees for European airlines flying over Siberia before it could join the United States in backing Moscow's entry into the World Trade Organization.

The Japan Times Weekly: Nov. 18, 2006
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