New EU-Russia framework agreement and the Polish veto
New EU-Russia framework agreement and the Polish veto

Author(s): Maria Staszkiewicz
Subject(s): International relations/trade, Post-Communist Transformation
Published by: AMO – Asociace pro mezinárodní otázky
Keywords: Polish veto; EU-Russia relations; meat embargo; forged veterinary certificates; Polish government; Russian market; sanitary and phytosanitary standards; diplomatic tensions; multilateral response; framework agreement negotiations
Summary/Abstract: This brief study is aimed at analysing - in the wider context of the EU-Russia relations - Polish veto to start negotiations of a new agreement between the two. The main question addressed in the paper is whether the Polish stance is merely reflective of the present government’s egoist policy line (as some critics would like to present it), calculated to further Polish raison d’état. But perhaps it indicates some inherent problems in the EU relations towards Russia? The first part will be an attempt to give a short background of the veto, and the EU-Russia framework agreement. Then it continues to offer some insights into the Polish motives for upholding the negotiation process as well as Russian and EU reactions to the veto. The paper will conclude with a short discussion on a positive feature of the veto.

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