EU says Russia talks to go ahead

Talks on a major EU-Russia pact have been blocked since November 2006

EU diplomats have said the path is clear to talks on a new strategic partnership with Russia after Lithuania dropped its objections.

The country had threatened to veto the talks unless demands on energy and other issues were met.

Three EU foreign ministers, including current EU presidency holder, Slovenia, had visited Vilnius to apply pressure.

A previous 10-year partnership between energy-rich Russia and the EU expired in 2007.

All EU foreign ministers must approve the deal struck to address Lithuania's concerns ahead of a summit with Russia to be held in Siberia in late June.

Any EU state can veto talks between the entire 27-nation bloc and third countries.

'Frozen conflicts'

Poland had also initially raised concerns to talks but their objections were overcome earlier this year.

Lithuania wants discussions on what are known as the "frozen conflicts" - Russia's support for Russian-speaking separatists in the Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia and the Transdniestria region of Moldova.

The BBC's Mike Sanders says some 8% of Lithuanians are Russian speakers and Lithuania does not want any encouragement for potential secessionists at home.

Lithuania also wants the EU to persuade Russia to resume oil supplies to its Mazekiu oil refinery.

Deliveries dried up in 2006 after Lithuania sold a stake in the refinery to a Polish firm in preference to Russian rivals.

The EU-Russia negotiations have been stalled since late 2006, when Warsaw cried foul after Russia banned meat imports from Poland.

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