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Rows overshadow EU-Russia summit Barroso warns Russia on EU unity
(40 minutes later)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is meeting EU leaders in southern Russia amid tension between the two sides. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has told Russia that any problems it has with an individual EU state are problems with the whole bloc.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the union's rotating presidency, is leading the EU team at the summit near the city of Samara. Speaking after an EU-Russian summit, Mr Barroso said the EU was based on principles of solidarity.
She warned that it would yield no concrete results, but said talks might get to the bottom of disagreements. The summit in the Volga city of Samara was overshadowed by Moscow's rows with countries including Estonia and Poland.
Disputes have arisen over the status of Kosovo, energy supplies, trade, and ties between Russia and Estonia. Disputes between Moscow and Brussels have also arisen over the status of Kosovo, energy supplies and trade.
We are ready to speak openly and honestly, without any taboos Vladimir PutinRussian President class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6665309.stm">Sticky issues for summit class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6668383.stm">Summit's Volga River venue German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, expressed concern at the difficulties opposition activists were reporting in getting to the summit venue.
An EU official attending the talks told the BBC that the tension was palpable. Moscow police prevented former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and other opposition leaders from flying to Samara to attend a protest rally.
And in a separate development, Moscow police prevented former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and other opposition leaders from flying to Samara to attend a protest rally near the venue of the summit. We are ready to speak openly and honestly, without any taboos Vladimir PutinRussian President class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6665309.stm">Sticky issues for summit class="" href="/1/hi/world/europe/6668383.stm">Summit's Volga River venue Several foreign journalists were also reportedly prevented from travelling.
An EU official attending the talks told the BBC the tension was palpable.
VetoVeto
"We are ready to speak openly and honestly, without any taboos," Mr Putin said at the start of the talks at the Volzhsky Utyos government resort on the banks of the Volga River. At the start of the talks, Mr Putin said: "We are ready to speak openly and honestly, without any taboos."
Ms Merkel said: "We should first take definite steps to see how we can overcome when things don't run smoothly."Ms Merkel said: "We should first take definite steps to see how we can overcome when things don't run smoothly."
Initially the main summit issue was the security of Europe's energy supplies - much of which come from Russia.Initially the main summit issue was the security of Europe's energy supplies - much of which come from Russia.
But the BBC's Richard Galpin, who is at the summit, says there are now sharp differences over the future status of Kosovo, on how to resolve a trade dispute with Poland and over Estonia's treatment of ethnic Russians. But the BBC's Richard Galpin, who was at the summit, says there were now sharp differences over the future status of Kosovo, on how to resolve a trade dispute with Poland and over Estonia's treatment of ethnic Russians.
In a break with previous practice, no joint declaration has been prepared. In a break with previous practice, no joint declaration was prepared.
Nor will the two sides be able to begin delayed talks on a new strategic partnership agreement, because of a veto imposed by Poland, now supported by Lithuania. Nor would the two sides be able to begin delayed talks on a new strategic partnership agreement, because of a veto imposed by Poland, now supported by Lithuania.
Human rights recordHuman rights record
The veto follows Russia's decision last year to block meat imports from Poland over apparent food safety issues.The veto follows Russia's decision last year to block meat imports from Poland over apparent food safety issues.
The EU has also said it could withhold final approval of Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization until trade tariff problems are resolved.The EU has also said it could withhold final approval of Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization until trade tariff problems are resolved.
A major factor in the deterioration of relations has been Estonia's removal last month of a World War II monument to Red Army soldiers in central Tallinn.A major factor in the deterioration of relations has been Estonia's removal last month of a World War II monument to Red Army soldiers in central Tallinn.
The event sparked unrest by ethnic Russians in Estonia, and a blockade of the Estonian embassy in Moscow.The event sparked unrest by ethnic Russians in Estonia, and a blockade of the Estonian embassy in Moscow.
More recently, EU leaders have expressed alarm about Russian threats to veto a UN Security Council resolution proposing Kosovo's independence from Serbia.More recently, EU leaders have expressed alarm about Russian threats to veto a UN Security Council resolution proposing Kosovo's independence from Serbia.
Russia's record on human rights is also an issue at the summit.
A protest by opposition groups has been allowed to go ahead near the venue of the summit, but leaders, including Mr Kasparov, had their passports and tickets removed by police as they tried to board a plane at Moscow airport.
Several foreign journalists were also reportedly prevented from travelling.
Organisers said they were not expecting more than 1,000 people to attend, and a demonstration by pro-Kremlin groups will go ahead simultaneously.