Another collapse in EU-Russia talks

Yesterday’s meeting in Luxemburg collapsed when Lithuania laid down a veto against resumed talks on a new EU-Russia Partnership agreement. Ahead of the meeting, both parts were ready to elaborate a mandate for the talks, newspaper Kommersant reports The EU Commission now has six weeks to convince the Lithuanians about the need for the agreement. Then, the next EU-Russia summit will be held in the Western Siberian city of Khanti-Mansiisk. According to Kommersant, the hopes for resumed EU-Russia talks now look slim. Lithuania is unlikely to easily give in on its key positions. Among the reasons for the country’s opposition to the new partnership agreement is Russia’s reluctance to export oil through Lituanian ports. Photo: eu2008si