Brussels, 18/12/2000 (Agence Europe) - The agreement in first reading on the creation of a network of European cities engaged in sustainable development financed by EU 14 formed, Monday evening, the only formal decision of the Environment Council, chaired by the French Minister Dominique Voynet. Though it is the unanimous conclusions of the Ministers on climate change in the hypothesis of the informal ministerial conference in Oslo, and the announcement of the refusal by the Americans and their allies to participate, which occupied the front stage. Telephone conversations taken on two occasions, at ministerial level, with the member countries of the Umbrella group (United States, Japan, New Zealand and Australia) have been in vain. The latter felt that the chances of success of such a meeting where too low for the attempts to be worthwhile. The Oslo conference will thus not take place, but sources close to the Presidency asserted in the evening that the EU remains open to the continuation of talks and flexibility. The EU and its negotiators will have the opportunity to meet in Nairobi, in January, on the sidelines of the UNEP (United Nations Programme for the environment) before the continuation of the 6th negotiating conference (COP6) in Bonn (May or June).
Before the arrival of the negative answer from the Americans and their allies, Dominique Voynet had underlined the disappointment of the Council in the face of the absence of progress at the informal meeting in Ottawa (6-7 December). Raising the morning spent by the Ministers drafting conclusions "to participate in the Oslo meeting with reasonable chances for success", the President had underlined that: - the Union showed itself to be very flexible in the first hours of negotiations of The Hague; - the EU did not want to have recourse to discussions on the Kyoto Protocol but improve the text of The Hague and expected other parties to be prepared to negotiate with the same serious approach; - the EU wanted to continue to work with the countries of the G7 and China,, and the Group of 11 (the former Soviet Republics) to respond to their particular concerns; - the EU remained optimistic as it was prepared to provide its support for any solution that respected the integrity of the Kyoto Protocol "for an effective reduction in greenhouse gases". Ms. Wallstrom summarised the Council's stance in five points: 1) the EU is prepared to discuss carbon sinks, but with a strict ceiling for the first period of engagement; 2) it has great difficulties in accepting the inclusion of carbon sinks in the clean development mechanism; 3) the EU wants a strict monitoring regime of these goals, together with economic incentives and action plans; 4) the EU does not accept the sale of emission credits on the part of countries that have them; 5) the EU places emphasis in the primacy of national action in achieving the goals.
In the evening, the Council continued its work by listening to Commissioner de Palacio present new measures for improving maritime safety. The Council had previously reached a qualified majority agreement (with Germany abstaining) in view of adopting, on first reading, the decision aimed at setting up a cooperation programme to finance a network of European cities engaged in innovative actions (budget: 14 million euro).
Over lunch, the Council had an exchange of views with Klaus Toepfer, Chair of the UNDP on improving world governance and the environment.