Diplomats from the EU and Russia failed Monday to coordinate the start of talks to replace the current accord, which expires in 2007, as Poland vetoed the decision, demanding that Moscow first sign an energy charter with Europe and lift an embargo on its meat and other exports to Russia.
"The process of preparations [for talks] will not obviously be easy," Sergei Yastrzhembsky said. "Yesterday's events show that not all EU members believe talks on the new document should start as soon as possible."
Russia banned agricultural imports from Poland last year, citing health risks. But Warsaw said the embargo was in retaliation for Poland's support of the "orange revolution" in Ukraine in late 2004, when Western-leaning political forces came to power in the former Soviet state.
Europe has pressed Russia to sign the Energy Charter, which would open up its pipelines to European companies and provide safeguards for investors. Moscow has so far resisted, saying the agreement runs counter to its interests.
Yastrzhembsky blamed Poland for trying to debate bilateral issues in a pan-European context and thereby drag the EU into its dispute with Russia. He also said Russia is unhappy with attempts to include clauses from the Energy Charter in the draft FCA treaty and its transitional protocol.
"The language of blackmail and ultimatums in our relations is unacceptable," the official said.
But Yastrzhembsky said other EU countries seem willing to negotiate the agreement, adding that obstacles will hopefully soon be removed. Russia and the EU expect to launch talks at a summit in Finland next week.
He said that in any event a legal vacuum will not emerge in relations with Europe, as the existing agreement can be extended.
WTO
But Yastrzhembsky said some provisions in the FCA will become outdated when Russia joins the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Economics minister German Gref said Monday that Moscow could complete accession talks in six months' time after signing a bilateral deal with the United States in Vietnam this weekend.
"After joining the WTO, a number of cooperation provisions with the EU will become completely outdated," Yastrzhembsky said.
The official said the new FCA should be a framework rather than a comprehensive document.
"This document should have a framework format -- it must not be comprehensive. It would have been unwise to try to pack everything into the new agreement," he said.
He added that the parties are already drafting documents on cooperation in separate spheres, including investment, transport, agriculture, and space.
U.S. ally
The popular Russian daily Kommersant suggested Tuesday that Poland's ultimatum might have been inspired by Washington.
Russia has increasingly been turning to Europe as its relations with the U.S. worsen. The U.S. might encourage Poland, one of its strongest allies in Europe, to isolate Russia, the paper said.
