Brussels, 15/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - The chances of approving the negotiations mandate proposed by the Commission for the conclusion of a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Russia before the 24 November summit are dwindling. The situation did not improve on Wednesday evening during the meeting of permanent representatives from Member States, when Poland was still vetoing the opening of negotiations. Warsaw has therefore reaffirmed two preliminary demands before negotiations can begin: Russia's ratification of the Energy Charter, especially the lifting of the Russian embargo on Polish meat (EUROPE 9305). Although the timetable for negotiations was falling behind schedule, the agreement in force will be extended till the entry into force of the new text, pointed out the Commission's spokesperson on Wednesday. He insisted that at this stage “it is neither impossible nor too late” to reach an agreement before the EU-Russia summit. Options are, however, not looking promising for obtaining a mandate in time. The permanent representatives will be meeting again on 17-22 November so that the Council of the EU can again give its improvement during one of the three meetings taking place next week before the summit. The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council on 23 November is the last chance for Member States to get an agreement at unanimity on this question. An agreement on the eve of the summit is, nevertheless, not without technical difficulties, indicated a Finnish diplomat. The presidency could, therefore envisage a special meeting of permanent representatives but there needs to be a signal from Poland beforehand, he added.
As well as the launch of the negotiations, initially planned for the 24, the summit will also focus on energy, environment and international questions (Iran, Middle East, Balkans and North Korea). A meeting of experts will also take place at the summit as part of the Northern Dimension (EU, Russia, Norway and Iceland). The objective will to adopt a framework document to replace the current action plans and make the Northern Dimension a real common policy followed up by all the different parties from the beginning of 2007. (ab)