11/16/2006

Russia wants end to smuggling, re-exports from Poland - ministry

Russia's Agriculture Ministry demanded Wednesday that Poland stop smuggling and re-exporting banned products to Russia, responding to Warsaw's demands for EU sanctions against Russia over the suspension of Polish food exports.

"Poland has become a hub of re-exports and smuggling of banned and counterfeit goods," minister Alexei Gordeyev said.

Poland, a European Union member since 2004, requested Tuesday the EU impose sanctions against Russia if it fails to lift the embargo on Polish meat and vegetables exports.

Russia banned agricultural imports from Poland last year, citing health risks and counterfeit veterinary certificates. Warsaw called the embargo political.

"Let the Poles ensure at least some order in their country," the minister said. "Polish companies' spirit of 'enterprise' has prompted many questions in here," he said.

On Monday, the former Communist-bloc state vetoed a decision by EU and Russian diplomats to launch talks on a new cooperation accord. Negotiations to replace the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement, which expires in 2007, were due to start at a Russia-EU summit in Helsinki November 24.

Warsaw demanded that Moscow first lift its embargo on Polish food exports and sign an Energy Charter with Europe, which Moscow has refused to do, saying that opening up access to its pipelines for European companies - one of the charter's requirements - runs counter to its interests.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin's aide blasted Poland's attempts to debate bilateral issues in a pan-European context and drag the EU into its disputes with Russia.

"The language of blackmail and ultimatums in our relations is unacceptable," the official said.

Sergei Yastrzhembsky said other EU countries seem willing to negotiate the agreement, adding they could clear the way for talks by the time the summit takes place in Helsinki. But he added that in any event a legal vacuum will not emerge in Russia's relations with Europe, as the existing agreement can be extended.
Source:en.rian.ru



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