Poland blocks Russia-EU partnership talks over energy issues.

Poland blocks Russia-EU partnership talks over energy issues. Poland’s EconMin Piotr Wozniak said Poland will insist on Russia ’s ratification of Energy Charter’s transit protocol before any talks can proceed on a new EU-Russia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. The current PCA runs out in 2007. Besides demanding to open Russia ’s oil and gas pipeline network to foreign companies, Poland called for lifting a yearlong ban on its food imports. EU-Russia negotiations are scheduled for Nov 24. According to EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the discussion on the issue will continue in the next few weeks. Russia resists EU demands concerning Energy Charter adoption for several years already. Worth noting, Ferrero-Waldner said the current PCA could be extended.