04.05.2007.
JURNALO
The European Commission on Friday denied that it was seeking to block Russian membership of global free trade pacts, but warned Moscow that trade disputes and recent crisis between Russia and its neighbours were threatening European support.
The European Union was ready to support early conclusion of Russia's accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), "but not at any price," a commission spokesman told reporters.

"Bilateral problems and the disregard for the implementation of existing commitments will be a major impediment," he said.

The EU wants to use an upcoming summit in Russia to get concessions on disputed trade issues, including export duties on wood and dual pricing for international and domestic rail cargo, the spokesman said.

The 27-member bloc is also hoping to convince Russia to lift its ban on imports of Polish meat, a move which would allow Warsaw to give its go-ahead to the negotiation of a new EU-Russia agreement covering energy sector cooperation.

/>In addition, the EU would press Moscow to withdraw new legislation on trade barriers as the laws violated WTO rules, the spokesman said.

"WTO membership creates legal obligations to openness and a commitment to transparent and proportionate regulation of trade," he stressed.

Russia has said that it wants to join the WTO by the end of this year.

The commission also pressed Russia to restart oil deliveries to Estonia, saying it would keep a close eye on the situation.

"We expect Russian companies to fulfil all their obligations," a commission spokesman said.

Russia halted rail deliveries of oil products to Estonia on Wednesday, citing track repair work.

/>The move is likely to revive Western fears that Moscow is using its energy might to bully ex-Soviet neighbours. Russia is the biggest source of oil and gas for Estonia and for the European Union.

But despite the spiralling tensions, the commission said it was not planning to cancel the summit in Samara scheduled for May 18.

"We want to engage in constructive dialogue with Russia, and the way to solve current issues is to talk to them (the Russians)," a commission spokesman said.

The EU earlier this week rebuked Russia for a failure to protect foreign embassy staff after demonstrators in Moscow attacked the envoys of EU members Estonia and Sweden to the country.
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