MOSCOW: Poland's foreign minister signaled Monday that Warsaw could soon unblock Russia-EU partnership talks, and pledged to consult with Moscow about the missile defense system elements the U.S. wants to install in Poland.

Radek Sikorski, visiting Moscow, said the removal of Russia's ban on Polish meat last month has paved the way for Poland to consider lifting its veto on talks between Russia and the European Union.

"I'm very glad that the trade embargo is gone," Sikorski told reporters after talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. "I think it would allow us to resume talks on providing a mandate for the continuation of Russia-EU contacts."

He later said Russia-EU talks on a new cooperation agreement would likely begin within six months, the Interfax news agency reported.

"I would be very surprised if negotiations on a basic agreement between the EU and Russia do not begin in the first half of the year," Interfax quoted Sikorski as saying.