Brussels, 17/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - Unanimous praise has been given to the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the EU which is ending on a high note.
EU environment ministers and Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella, meeting in Brussels on Wednesday 16 December, warmly thanked Carole Dieschbourg for her superb coordination of the EU position throughout the international climate negotiations at COP 21 (see EUROPE 11452).
The words of praise for the Luxembourg minister came in a public debate on protecting biodiversity.
“Congratulations to the Presidency for its coordination work and to all those involved in it. We will be able to build on this momentum”, said Vella. Dieschbourg hailed the success achieved in Paris, stressing that attention must in 2016 turn to “effort sharing”.
“We have discussed the challenges that remain to be met. … The hard part is now beginning, with implementation. Europe's voice has been heard because we achieved this outcome, because we were united”, she told the press. She expressed the wish that Europe capitalise on the fine spirit that reigned in Paris to be able to progress on environment and sustainable development issues. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)