Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-10-24-Speech-4-129"

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". – Mr President, thank you for these valuable contributions to this debate. I would like to comment on some of the points that have been raised. First of all, what can we do to influence Russia and to push for ratification from the Russian side? It is difficult to talk to the Russians. We have for some time now been planning a troika visit to Russia and we are continuing to plan for that visit because we want to meet the right people. We want to have it at a high political level in order to have a meaningful discussion. In all bilateral talks, including those between Commissioner Prodi and Prime Minister Putin, climate change and the Kyoto Protocol have been on the agenda. Of course we raise this issue in all our bilateral contacts. We are also aware of a study that has just been published by the Russian Government on the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. We are currently analysing the results – hopefully we will be able to use some of them in our ongoing debate. We are keeping a close eye on what happens in Russia, in order to be able to use the positive forces that exist in Russia. In the end, I suppose that it is Prime Minister Putin who will decide. What about a WTO initiative? That has not yet been included in our plans at all. Maybe that is a good idea. I have not though about it enough to give you a really considered answer today, but I am worried about anything that could complicate or halt the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. We should be very careful not to raise the issue in such a way that we create more stumbling blocks in the debate on the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol. I would be happy to come back to the debate on the WTO and the links between these issues. What happens in the second commitment period? First of all, we are interested in establishing the process in Delhi and COP8. It is too early and in view of the risk of complicating the whole debate on the entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol, we want first of all to establish the process and decide how to get to the second commitment period. It seems a little pointless to go into the details on that before the Kyoto Protocol has even entered into force. So first things first. We have to stick to that strategy at COP8 as well. There was one question on air traffic. Of course the Commission and the European Union are working within ICAO, because this is clearly an international issue. I am sure we would all agree that the work in ICAO has not been satisfactory when it comes to speed and commitment, but it also has a UNCCC mandate to work on the climate change issue. This is an area where we can hopefully do more, but we will have to continue to work in an international context. Finally, what about equal rights per world citizen? The ultimate goal is to stabilise concentrations in the atmosphere at harmless levels. Remember that. We need to reduce emissions as a result. I believe this will lead to convergence of per capita emissions internationally. Whether equal rights is the right target, I cannot say. I do not want to say to the European Parliament that it is a ridiculous idea, but my personal opinion is that it might not be the most sensible approach. It is a moral concept rather than an environmental measure. Our main objective is to protect the environment. That, I believe, is how we should formulate it. We emit eight times more, on average, than an Indian citizen. How do we create equal rights for citizens throughout the world? I would like to approach it from an environmental point of view, so that we make sure that we stabilise concentrations in the atmosphere at harmless levels. I hope you understand my argument. Perhaps this is something which requires further debate. We have an important role to play in New Delhi, in the COP8 discussions, because we can definitely work with the developing countries. We will probably be the bridge between G77, China and the developed countries in the debate on how to deal with climate change."@en1
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