Brussels, 03/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - The Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, who is chairing the European Council for the next six months, has expressed optimism about the current talks with Russia over a new partnership agreement leading to a deal before the current Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) expires at the end of November 2007. The launch of new talks is still in deadlock following Poland's veto because of Russia's embargo on imports of Polish meat - the embargo has not been lifted despite repeated calls from the EU on the Russian authorities to lift what the EU describes as an 'unjustified' measure. The last attempt by the Finnish Presidency at the end of December was unable to defuse the situation (see EUROPE 9332) and the ball is therefore in the German Presidency's court. Unanimous voting among the EU's 27 Member States will be required for talks to start as soon as possible. In an interview with the Financial Times on 3 January, Angela Merkel said that the talks with Russia 'will not be easy'. The current President of the European Council said the Russian authorities' restrictions on non-governmental organisations and the situation regarding freedom of speech and the media in Russia were 'a cause of concern.' (hb)