Moscow believes the problem with meat imports from Bulgaria and Romania is "just technical" and will be resolved soon. After meting with his Bulgarian counterpart Ivaylo Kalfin on Russian soil, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told journalists Moscow wants to import the same high quality meat as allowed for consumption within the EU.

Russia has threatened to impose a new ban on all EU meat and animal products from January, when Romania and Bulgaria join the club. It sees the two countries "unsecured in terms of veterinary safety".

Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed Poland for the situation, saying Polish officials were unwilling to properly supervise other countries' meat products transiting through Poland.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn dismissed concerns over animal health in both countries and called Moscow's threat a political game in which the aim was to create pressure.

Because of persistent outbreaks of swine fever in Romania and, to a lesser extent, Bulgaria, the EU has already banned exports of live pigs and pork products from both countries until next October at least. Dozens of slaughterhouses and dairies are also barred from selling abroad.

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