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Divisions mar EU-Russia meeting Divisions mar EU-Russia meeting
(about 3 hours later)
A rift within the European Union has overshadowed the planned start of a summit between the EU and Russia. An EU-Russia summit has opened in Helsinki, overshadowed by a rift within the European Union.
The two sides were due to discuss a partnership agreement - involving energy, migration and other issues - at the summit in Finland. The two sides were due to discuss a partnership agreement - involving energy, migration and other issues - in the Finnish capital.
But Poland has vetoed the partnership talks and is refusing to lift its objections unless Russia ends a ban on Polish meat and vegetable. But Poland has vetoed the partnership talks and is refusing to lift its objections unless Russia ends a ban on Polish meat and vegetables.
Most EU members have tried to get Poland to change its mind, to no avail.Most EU members have tried to get Poland to change its mind, to no avail.
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, says the summit appears to be doomed to failure before it has even begun. The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Helsinki said the summit appeared to be doomed to failure before it had even begun.
It is the first time that one of the 10 countries that joined in 2004 has blocked such an important EU agreement. It is the first time that one of the 10 countries that joined the EU in 2004 has blocked such an important EU agreement.
EU solidarityEU solidarity
Talks about a new Stability and Cooperation Pact between the EU and Russia were to have been a key part of the meeting. Talks about a new Stability and Co-operation Pact between the EU and Russia were to have been a key part of the meeting.
Despite nearly two weeks of lobbying from the other 24 members of the EU, Poland refused to put aside its objections to the Russian boycott of its farm products.Despite nearly two weeks of lobbying from the other 24 members of the EU, Poland refused to put aside its objections to the Russian boycott of its farm products.
On the eve of the summit, EU leaders came out in support of Poland.On the eve of the summit, EU leaders came out in support of Poland.
"We were ready to state in very clear terms that the Russian ban on certain Polish food should be lifted as soon as possible," said Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen."We were ready to state in very clear terms that the Russian ban on certain Polish food should be lifted as soon as possible," said Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen.
Finland currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU.Finland currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU.
Russian President Vladimir Putin - who is in Helsinki for the summit - blamed Poland for the situation, saying authorities were not willing to properly supervise other countries' meat products transiting through Poland.Russian President Vladimir Putin - who is in Helsinki for the summit - blamed Poland for the situation, saying authorities were not willing to properly supervise other countries' meat products transiting through Poland.
Russia cut gas to Ukraine last year, causing price shocks in EuropeHe threatened a new ban on all EU meat products from January when Romania and Bulgaria join the bloc.Russia cut gas to Ukraine last year, causing price shocks in EuropeHe threatened a new ban on all EU meat products from January when Romania and Bulgaria join the bloc.
EU officials played down the situation.EU officials played down the situation.
"This is a question that will be resolved," said the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana."This is a question that will be resolved," said the EU's foreign policy chief Javier Solana.
"There's no question about that, it's not a big thing. It's a question of import of meat that without any doubt will be resolved.""There's no question about that, it's not a big thing. It's a question of import of meat that without any doubt will be resolved."
Energy securityEnergy security
Officials from both sides have said the existing partnership agreement, which expires at the end of the year, could be extended as required.Officials from both sides have said the existing partnership agreement, which expires at the end of the year, could be extended as required.
There is still much for Russia and the EU to discuss - Iran, the Middle East, North Korea and energy policy.There is still much for Russia and the EU to discuss - Iran, the Middle East, North Korea and energy policy.
There is also Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization and concerns over Georgia.There is also Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization and concerns over Georgia.
Europe is worried about its dependence on Russian energy. About 30% of its gas comes from Russia.Europe is worried about its dependence on Russian energy. About 30% of its gas comes from Russia.
It was almost a year ago that Russia briefly cut the gas supply to Ukraine, in a dispute over prices, sending a shockwave through the whole of the EU.It was almost a year ago that Russia briefly cut the gas supply to Ukraine, in a dispute over prices, sending a shockwave through the whole of the EU.
And the EU also wants reassurance from Russia that it will secure the necessary investment to enable it to meet its future export commitments, so that the flow of oil and gas does not dwindle in the coming decades.And the EU also wants reassurance from Russia that it will secure the necessary investment to enable it to meet its future export commitments, so that the flow of oil and gas does not dwindle in the coming decades.