Brussels, 27/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - Twenty days from the resumption of international talks on climate, in Bonn (COP6, 16-27 July), the outcome of the informal preparatory talks in The Hague currently in progress (see EUROPE of 25/26 June, p.8) remains uncertain. Japan's lack of enthusiasm motivated by its reticence to ratify the Kyoto Protocol without the United States, and the rumours concerning a possible withdrawal on the part of the Russians, augur ill for negotiations in Bonn. Sources close to the Commission, however, state that no official indication concerning Russia's eventual deflection has reached the Union to date. Jan Pronk, Environment Minister for the Netherlands and President of COP6, believes "Bonn is our last chance to reach an agreement on the Kyoto objectives". Kenneth C. Brill, US Representative, confirmed that his country would not block the process and hopes to be an active and constructive partner, even if it does not ratify the protocol.
Margot Wallström, European Environment Commissioner, nonetheless weighs up the difficulty of the task. In a press release, she states: "it is too early now to draw final conclusions from this meeting as discussions are continuing. (…) The EU believes that President Pronk's paper ((Ed.: the last consolidated compromise presented last week)) is a good basis for the further negotiations, even though we do not agree with everything in it. We are working hard to get an agreement in Bonn and are willing to be flexible. In particular we need to build bridges towards the developing countries. The key question is: Do other countries, including Japan, have the political will to make Bonn a success? And will the US let other parties go ahead? That is at least what President Bush promised".
Taking into account these uncertainties, the Union will await the end of the informal meeting in The Hague to send to Japan a high level mission. This mission will probably be formed of Jan Pronk, Margot Wallström and representatives from the Swedish and Belgian Presidency of the Council. The date of 6 and 7 July is put forward, but remains to be confirmed.
As opposed to what was foreseen, the Bonn conference will begin with a ministerial meeting, from 16 and 21 July, to continue at expert level between 22 and 27 July.