German Ambassador to Poland Reinhard Schweppe declared on Thursday that Poland could count on the solidarity of its EU partners in its trade dispute with Russia.

As Germany took over the rotating six-month presidency of the European Union on Jan. 1, Ambassador Schweppe told the PAP news agency that Germany wanted to emphasize the EU's common foreign policy and pay much attention to its eastern dimension.

"Unfortunately, it turned out impossible to solve a trade dispute between Russia and Poland concerning the Russian ban on Polish meat imports," the ambassador admitted.

Poland vetoed the launch of talks between the European Union and Russia on a new cooperation pact last November.

"In my opinion, Poland was trying for too long to solve the dispute with bilateral talks and not seeking EU's assistance," the ambassador said, adding that his country will hold talks with both sides.

Poland was right to appeal to its EU partners for solidarity, he said.

The German ambassador also said it was in Poland's interest to work to consolidate European integration.

Source: Xinhua