The European Commission harshly criticized Moscow's decision to conduct bilateral talks with each EU nation, which is willing to export its animal products to Russia.

As of January 1, Russia will only import meat from those EU nations willing to sign bilateral agreements guaranteeing the safety of deliveries, Sergei Dankvert, the head of the state food safety watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, said earlier in the day, as cited by the Interfax news agency.

"Since the EU cannot ensure the safety of meat imported by Russia once Bulgaria and Romania join in 2007, we have decided to hold talks with representatives of veterinary services from each EU member state," Dankvert said.

The statement made EU health commissioner Markos Kyprianou say "he was surprised and disappointed" by the Russian official's statement.

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