LIMASSOL, Cyprus, April 21 (Reuters) - Russia and the European Union failed to reach a quick agreement to end a 16-month Russian ban on Polish meat imports on Saturday but were continuing talks, the EU health commissioner said.

Asked if a deal had been reached in talks with Russian Agriculture Minister Alexei Gordeyev in the Cypriot resort of Limassol, Markos Kyprianou told reporters: "Not yet, we are still talking."

EU officials have been hoping for a deal to allow EU foreign ministers to give a green light on Monday for the launch of talks on a new cooperation pact with Moscow covering energy, trade, economic cooperation and rights.

EU member Poland has been blocking these negotiations due to the meat ban.

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