EU official says Lithuania lifts veto on Russian-EU talks
 
Lithuania has lifted its veto on Russian-E.U. talks on a partnership accord, Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, said during a visit to Mexico.

He said he welcomed the move.

The veto was imposed because Lithuania was unhappy with the halt of Russian oil supplies to its Mazeikiu Nafta refinery in 2006 and with Russia's support for several unrecognized post-Soviet breakaway republics.

Among other issues, the Russian-E.U. partnership accord is expected to cover the energy industry.
The E.U. has urged Russia to give foreign companies access to its oil and gas pipelines, while Russia has been reluctant to do so.