Brussels, 22/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the European Commission welcomed the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the Russian Parliament (Duma). Margot Wallström, Commissioner for Environment, said this was very good news, a day to celebrate, as ratification means the protocol can now take effect, that it will be legally binding and that it will give fresh momentum to discussions in December in Buenos Aires (at the Sixth United Nations Conference for a Framework Convention on Climate Change). The conference will be held in a "completely different atmosphere" and it will now also be necessary to see how countries like China and India may be included in the process, Ms Wallström said. Russian ratification will also provide "new interest" for the Commission greenhouse gas emission trading system, because Russia will of course be a "key partner" in this trading system. "It will also give European companies an opportunity to have joint implementation projects in Russia", she added. The Commissioner thanked Romano Prodi saying he has always believed in the protocol and has "never given up", even when "everyone started to question whether the Kyoto Protocol would ever enter into force".
"No news could be more welcome in my last few days in Brussels", Romano Prodi says in a press release. "The ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the Russian Duma repays my Commission's long and patient efforts to tackle global warming … a cause for growing concern every passing day .. and safeguard our planet's environment", he said. "The Duma has also shown responsibility and I want to express my satisfaction, appreciation and respect to President Putin, to whom I send my thanks, and to the Russian government, the Duma and the Russian people", he continued. Mr Prodi nonetheless stressed that "this is just the first step" and that "it needs to be followed by others". "We must not let up on this issue but keep pushing it with all our force. We must keep on demanding commitment and determination from governments, the scientific community and researchers, because there is still so much to do in terms of technological innovation, energy savings and research on alternative energy sources. That is why we are backing research on the hydrogen economy too", Mr Prodi said, going on to conclude: "I hope that example will be followed by those who have not yet signed the Kyoto Protocol, starting with the United States".