EU tries to patch up Polish-Russian trade relations

Russian conditions concern not only Poland but the whole EU". Russia closed its borders to Polish food in November last year, claiming that many food hygiene certificates were forged. In March, Ukraine followed the Russians' footsteps. According to Andrzej Lepper, the Polish Agriculture Minister, the Ukrainians are acting under the Russians influence as they are economically dependent on their big neighbour. According to Peter Mandelson, the EU Commission has sent a proposition of tri-latteral talks to the Russians, but has yet to receive an answer. (Gazeta Wyborcza, June 3-4, pp.1, 29) J.L.