Brussels, 17/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - The objective of keeping the average rise in temperatures less than 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels was confirmed by the 190 parties to the climate negotiations which closed in Bonn on Friday 14 June at expert level, and “concrete progress” has been made towards the objective of concluding a binding global agreement in 2015 to enter into force in 2020, according to the Secretariat of the United Nations framework agreement on climate change. The same positivity is shared by Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action, who is delighted that the “EU's suggestions for encouraging parties to make ambitious commitments under the 2015 agreement have gained traction in the discussions and the groundswell of support for the EU's proposal for a global phase-down of HFCs”. Hedegaard, however, remains “concerned that many of our major negotiating partners do not yet seem ready to engage beyond restating positions of principle”. In fact, Russia blocked the discussions within the working group, irked that the problem of the procedures for decisions made by consensus within the Framework Agreement has still not been resolved. This move could undermine the success of the COP 19 in Warsaw (12-22 November of this year), as Russia takes the view that it is not worth going to Warsaw unless the issue is cleared up. (AN/transl.fl)