Poland no longer opposes Russia's talks with OECD

Photo: Poland no longer opposes Russia's talks with OECD

Poland will drop its opposition to Russia opening membership talks with a leading international economic group in an attempt to warn ties between two nations, new Premier said.

"I told the Russian Federation that Poland is lifting its blockade of moving to membership negotiations" with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Donald Tusk told reporters.

Poland, which joined the OECD in 1996, has been staunchly opposed to membership talks with Russia, which began earlier this year.

Tusk, who took office earlier this month, also referred to Russia's efforts to join the World Trade Organization, which Poland has opposed. Tusk said joining the OECD is a requirement for WTO entry.

"This first step has the goal of, and definitely will bring, good effects to Polish-Russian ties," Tusk said, noting the two nations' foreign ministers would likely meet in Brussels for talks on Dec. 6.

"This news was accepted with a lot of satisfaction by our Russian partners, and this step will cause, I'm certain, an acceleration of talks and actions by both sides to improve ties."

Poland, which was a Soviet satellite for decades after World War II, has historically difficult ties with Moscow. Relations further soured under Poland's previous government.