Brussels, 29/06/2001 (Agence Europe) - The informal preparatory ministerial talks for the continuation of the international negotiations on the climate (COP6, Bonn, 16-27 July) will be completed in The Hague without giving the Union the least certainty as to the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in 2002 by the required number of countries (55 countries contributing to 55% of their total emissions of greenhouse gases). While reaffirming the desire to remain in the framework of the UN Convention on Climatic Change and to actively take part in the Bonn negotiations, the Americans have given made no commitments over their readiness not to act as a barrier to the ratification of the Protocol, on the contrary. They have said that they will not accept any measure that could damage trade and that they will not contribute towards the 1 billion Fund aimed at helping the LDC and thus rally them to the ratification. Under these conditions, the pressure on Japan, reticent towards ratifying the Protocol without the United States - is greater than ever. However, despite the concessions that have been made in the finalised negotiating document (the "package" of Jan Pronk, President of the COP6, authorising Japan to use carbon sinks to achieve half of its target to reduce greenhouse gases), the Japanese Minister for the Environment felt that this document posed numerous problems and did not clarify the position of its country. For Kjell Larsson, who presided over the EU Council, an agreement in Bonn is still possible, but there are also enormous difficulties. Conscious, of these difficulties, Margot Wallström, European Commission for the Environment, nevertheless, retains her optimism in a Communiqué, she stated: "I believe these talks have maintained the momentum we need to secure results in Bonn. Mr Pronk's paper, which has formed the basis for the forthcoming informal consultations in The Hague, remains the best basis for the forthcoming negotiations. She feels that the Union showed, in The Hague, its "readiness to negotiate" and that it established "a good dialogue with developing countries".