Väyrynen told YLE on Friday that the notice by authorities is being studied and taken care of at the civil service level. He said he believes that a speedy settlement to the dispute will be found, adding that it is not an issue of trade policy or a move by Russia to protect its own markets for agricultural products.
Russia plans to restrict imports of some meat and dairy products from Finland. According to the Finnish Food Safety Authority, Evira, the restrictions will go into force on July 23rd. Russian authorities informed Evira that the operations of several Finnish food producers fall short of Russian legal requirements.
If it becomes an extended dispute, there may be a need to have discussions at government level, but for now the matter is in the hands of bureaucrats, Väyrynen noted.
Väyrynen also said that he expects to see a settlement within the next few months to a separate dispute that has strained trade relations between the two countries, customs duties on raw timber.
According to the Minister for Foreign Trade, Russia's membership in the World Trade Organization, the WTO, is moving forward. Russian membership will be important for Finland as it will provide common norms and a base for better organized trade relations, he said.
Väyrynen, 63, is an old hand at dealing with Finland's eastern neighbour, having served four terms as Foreign Minister between 1977 and 1993.
