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Barroso warns Russia on EU unity Brussels warns Russia on EU unity
(about 2 hours later)
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.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.
Speaking after an EU-Russian summit, Mr Barroso said the EU was based on principles of solidarity. Speaking at an EU-Russian summit, Mr Barroso said the EU was based on principles of solidarity.
The summit in the Volga city of Samara was overshadowed by Moscow's rows with countries including Estonia and Poland. The summit, near the city of Samara, was marred by Moscow's rows with countries including Estonia and Poland.
Disputes between Moscow and Brussels have also arisen over the status of Kosovo, energy supplies and trade.Disputes between Moscow and Brussels have also arisen over the status of Kosovo, energy supplies and trade.
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. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose country holds the EU's rotating presidency, expressed concern at the difficulties Russian opposition activists were reporting in getting to the summit venue.
Moscow police prevented former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and other opposition leaders from flying to Samara to attend a protest rally. The Polish problem is a European problem. The Lithuanian and Estonian problems are also EU problems Jose Manuel BarrosoEuropean Commission chief 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
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. Moscow police prevented former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and other opposition leaders from flying to attend a protest rally.
An EU official attending the talks told the BBC the tension was palpable. Several foreign journalists were also reportedly prevented from travelling.
Veto Russian President Vladimir Putin, for his part, condemned the treatment of ethnic Russians in the Baltic states.
At the start of the talks, Mr Putin said: "We are ready to speak openly and honestly, without any taboos." In a break with previous practice, no joint declaration was prepared before the summit at Volzhsky Utyos government resort.
Ms Merkel said: "We should first take definite steps to see how we can overcome when things don't run smoothly." Polish veto
Initially the main summit issue was the security of Europe's energy supplies - much of which come from Russia. "We had an occasion to say to our Russian partners that a difficulty for a member state is a difficulty for the whole European community," Mr Barroso said at the news conference.
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. They (Estonian police) didn't just disperse demonstrators. They killed one demonstrator. We demand that the criminals be brought to account Vladimir PutinRussian President
In a break with previous practice, no joint declaration was prepared. "The Polish problem is a European problem. The Lithuanian and Estonian problems are also EU problems.
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. "It is very important if you want to have close co-operation to understand that the EU is based on principles of solidarity," Mr Barroso said.
Human rights record He was referring a Russian trade dispute with Poland, the cutting of Russian oil supplies to Lithuania in a separate row, and a bitter dispute over the treatment of ethnic Russians in Estonia.
The veto follows Russia's decision last year to block meat imports from Poland over apparent food safety issues. Poland has imposed a veto on any new strategic partnership accord between the EU and Russia.
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 veto - now also supported by Lithuania - follows Russia's decision last year to block meat imports from Poland over apparent food safety issues.
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. "We believe there is no reason for a (Russian) ban on Polish meat imports," Mr Barroso told President Putin.
The event sparked unrest by ethnic Russians in Estonia, and a blockade of the Estonian embassy in Moscow. 'Unacceptable violations'
More recently, EU leaders have expressed alarm about Russian threats to veto a UN Security Council resolution proposing Kosovo's independence from Serbia. Another 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 mostly ethnic Russians in Estonia, that left one person dead and more than 160 injured.
At the summit, Mr Putin accused Estonia - and also Latvia - of "unacceptable " violations of the rights of Russian-speakers.
He also condemned what he described as heavy-handed methods of Estonian police during the riots.
"They didn't just disperse demonstrators. They killed one demonstrator. We demand that the criminals be brought to account," Mr Putin said.
The Kosovo issue also dominated the summit's agenda.
EU leaders have recently expressed alarm about Russian threats to veto a UN Security Council resolution proposing Kosovo's de facto independence from Serbia.