Brussels, 20/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 20 December, Russia confirmed that it was lifting its embargo on meat from Poland. As Russia and Poland had agreed on 12 December, the two countries signed a memorandum in Kaliningrad on arrangements for the trade in meat (EUROPE 9563). The memorandum signed by those in charge of the veterinary services in both countries will ensure that meat deliveries are of good quality and “not dangerous for health”, the spokesman for the Russian veterinary services, Alexeï Alexeïenko, told AFP in answer to questions put to him in Moscow. “A new page has been turned in our relations with this document. Political disputes now belong to the past”, Mr Alexeïenko commented, adding that the first deliveries of Polish meat were to be carried out “in coming weeks”, once supply contracts have been signed.
The Russian embargo on Polish meat, which has been in force since November 2005, prevented major talks on a new EU-Russia partnership from beginning, in particular with regard to energy cooperation. Poland has hitherto been opposed to opening these talks until the Russian embargo on its meat products was lifted. Another Russian embargo, this time on Polish plant products (and also plant products from other EU countries), is due to be lifted during January according to statements issued by Russia and Poland, who see eye to eye on this. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk may visit Moscow in January. Poland and Russia seem to have entered into a new stage in their relations. (L.C.)