Lithuania seen allowing Russia-EU talks -diplomat

Guardian.co.uk. WARSAW, May 9 (Reuters) - Lithuania is likely to lift its veto on talks between the European Union and Russia on a strategic partnership by the end of this month, a Polish diplomat close to the matter said on Friday.

Lithuania has emerged as the surprise sole opponent to a mandate for the talks which the EU hopes to launch at a June 26-27 summit in Siberia, the first such meeting since Dmitry Medvedev took over as Russia's president this week.

The tiny Baltic republic has been pressing for a tougher stance by the EU on Russia's role in so-called "frozen conflicts" with its ex-Soviet neighbours such as Georgia.

"The EU foreign ministers are likely to give the go-ahead for the talks with Russia when they hold their monthly meeting on May 28-29," the diplomat told Reuters, on condition of anonymity.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is also expected to hold talks on the mandate issue with the Lithuanian side, diplomatic sources in Warsaw say.

Last year, Warsaw blocked the talks on a new partnership and cooperation agreement (PCA) over energy security issues and a Russian ban on Polish food imports. Warsaw lifted its veto recently after Moscow resumed imports. (Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska, editing by Gareth Jones)