NEWS

Prime Minister satisfied with mandate for Copenhagen and solution for Czech Republic

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, expressed his satisfaction with the mandate for the global climate talks in Copenhagen in December, which was confirmed today by the European Council in Brussels. "We have reached an agreement on the mandate for negotiations in Copenhagen by which the European Union has preserved its leading role and which also encourages other partners to strive for ambitious goals in December," said the Slovenian Prime Minister after the European Council meeting.

 

(Foto: Thierry Monasse/STA)

  

On the basis of the mandate the EU will be able to take a uniform approach in Copenhagen, both in respect of emission-reducing targets and in respect of financing.  In the negotiations, the EU will advocate the adoption of a legally binding agreement for all countries and an ambitious long-term emission-reduction target for the EU and other developed countries (80–95% by 2050); it will also keep its commitment of reducing emissions by 30% by 2010 if other developed countries also commit to this target.

  

The mandate also highlights the importance of reducing emissions by sinks, i.e. reducing them for the purpose of sustainable forest management, which is extremely important for Slovenia as a country with rich forests.  In international negotiations, the European Union will thus defend a position which will take into consideration current good forest management.

 

(Foto: Thierry Monasse/STA)

  

As regards the issue of financing the combating of the effects of climate change, the European Council has agreed that at the global level the total funds required for mitigating the consequences of and adapting to climate change will amount to EUR 100 billion per year until 2020. This amount should be financed from the states’ own resources, from the global carbon market, and the remaining amount of EUR 22–50 billion from international public financial resources.

  

In the first three years (2010–2012), an initial global annual amount of EUR 5–7 billion will be required; however, the final agreement on this will be reached with regard to the results of the conference in Copenhagen. The share of individual countries that should contribute to global public funding will reflect their responsibility for emissions and ability to pay.

   

Today, Prime Minister Pahor also welcomed the agreement reached by the European Council on the requirements of the Czech Republic related to the Lisbon Treaty and the human rights charter integrated in the Treaty. "The agreement confirmed by the European Council will enable the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon to be completed and the Treaty to enter into force this year. "It is important that the solution for the Czech Republic have no other consequences for other countries," stressed the Prime Minister in this context.

 

(Foto: Thierry Monasse/STA)

  

At the European Council meeting, the EU leaders also discussed conditions on economic and financial markets. Among other things, they confirmed that coordinated fiscal strategies will be drawn up to resolve the conditions after the crisis; however, measures supporting the restoration of economic growth will not be lifted until sustainable growth is achieved again.

  

The EU leaders also emphasised the employment issue, because in the post-crisis period the high unemployment level should not become a constant. For this purpose, they highlighted an active policy of social inclusion and social assistance, and confirmed their commitment to active labour market policy.  In this context, Prime Minister Pahor emphasised that Slovenia has already adopted and has been pursuing such a policy.