Poland hopes to lift veto on EU-Russia talks soon

WARSAW, Dec 14 (Reuters) Poland's Foreign Minister Anna Fotyga said today she hoped Poland would be able to lift its opposition to talks on a landmark pact between Russia and the European Union by the end of the year.

Poland has vetoed the launch of negotiations for a new EU-Russia strategic partnership because of a Russian import ban on Polish food products.

The Polish veto has dramatised latent hostility between Warsaw and its former Soviet master and caused political embarrassment for the EU, which was unable to speak with a single voice at a recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Fotyga told parliament Poland was willing to give up some of its interests in order to help start negoatiations on the new pact with Russia before Germany takes over the EU's rotating presidency in 2007.

''I certainly hope that the issue of the negotiating mandate will be resolved before Germany takes over the presidency,'' Fotyga said during a parliamentary debate.

''Poland has to defend its interests but in the name of European solidarity it is willing to reach a compromise.'' Last week, Poland agreed to allow talks between the EU and Russia on energy cooperation in a signal it could be softening its stance.

Fotyga is due to attend a two-day summit of EU leaders in Brussels starting later today.

Reuters BDP VV1747