Russian partnership talks cancelled until food ban lifted

The European Commission (EC), who is responsible for handling the problem, claims it has been doing its best for a year. The EC explains that Poland is to also blame for this issue as it was not compliant with EU standards when the ban was introduced. The Polish faults have been described in a confidential report for the EC. Meanwhile, yet another group of EU experts is inspecting Poland and may find that it has already improved all faults. The spokesman for the EU food commissioner, Philip Tod says if that is the case, the chief of the EC may ask Russian president Putin himself for an explanation. The EC also highlights the fact that it is difficult to impose any sanctions on Russia, as it does not belong to the WTO and does not have to comply with impartial procedures of conflict resolution. The EU cannot impose excise duty on gas and oil on which the whole of Europe is dependent. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 11)