Optimism over Russia-Poland pipeline

Polish officials say they've narrowed their differences with Russia over building a new gas pipeline to western Europe, but there were still issues to negotiate.

A Polish economy ministry spokesman was speaking before a meeting about the pipeline in Warsaw which opens of Friday of government officials and oil company representatives of fifteen countries.

Polish officials discussed the pipeline with the giant Russian gas company, Gazprom, earlier this week.

A BBC correspondent says Poland has been trying to avoid upsetting relations with its neighbour, Ukraine, by appearing to compete with an existing pipeline route through Ukrainian territory.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service