20/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - After his meeting with Polish agriculture minister Andrzej Lepper in Brussels on Monday, Commissioner Markos Kyprianou (health and consumer protection) expressed pessimism over resolving the issue of the Russian ban on the import of Polish meat before the EU-Russia Summit on 24 November (see related article, page 5). “I do not think the problem can be resolved by Friday,” said Mr Kyprianou at a joint press conference with the Polish minister. Poland has blocked the opening of negotiations between the EU and Russia on a new Partnership Agreement, mainly because of the Russian ban on Polish agrifood products. On Monday, Mr Lepper stated that Poland would not change its stance until Russia gave a “clear signal” that it was about to lift the ban. “I will not advise my Prime Minister to lift the veto (on the negotiations) until there has been a clear signal from Russia,” he said. (hb)