Brussel verwerpt 'ongerechtigde' Russische handelsblokkade (en)

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The European Commission today (3 June) angrily reacted to a Russian decision to ban EU meat exports worth around 1.3 billion euro a year, and has not ruled out retaliatory action.

"We are surprised and disappointed" said Reijo Kemppinen, the Commission's chief spokesperson, describing the measures as "unnecessary and unjust".

In recent months the EU and Russia appeared to have overcome major disputes over EU enlargement and Russian accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) but this move will come as a major blow to those seeking to improve relations after a very bumpy patch.

"This kind of behaviour is not behaviour one would expect from a potential WTO member", said Mr Kemppinen.

Other Commission officials expressed surprise at the decision which is thought to have been conveyed through a press release from the Russian Ministry of Agriculture.

It is thought the Russian authorities will no longer accept the validity of veterinary certificates from around a dozen of the EU's member states, although details are not yet clear.

The Russian authorities say they want one single EU certificate to be issued by the Commission in place of those from the member states, something which Mr Kemppinen said was "not going to happen".

The Commission was quick to play down the likelihood of this action being an attack on the new member states of the European Union, many of whom were formerly behind the Iron Curtain.

In total, the Commission said the measure would have an impact on 11 or 12 member states: the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Estonia, France, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Austria and possibly Finland as well.

It is unclear which products are subject to the restrictions and if dairy products are also included in the ban.

The commission also called on Russia to set realistic goals for talks which were ongoing on the topic of veterinary certificates.