Europe will make a commitment if the others do so too. This was how Foreign Minister Frattini, who in the absence of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was leading the Italian delegation to the European Council, summed up the Conclusions on the climate question. On immigration, Frattini said he was “completely satisfied” by the decisions reached.
According to Frattini, Europe wants the forthcoming climate conference in Copenhagen to reach “a global political agreement that we hope will be binding”.
The Minister reiterated that the European Presidency has been given a mandate to negotiate with the other major countries such as the United States, China and India, to ensure that “we are all committed to moving in the same direction”.
The European Council conclusions included a “guarantee clause” that will enable the EU to make up for any lack of equivalent, agreed commitments by the different geographical areas of the globe on combating climate change. The European leaders also discussed the figures involved in the commitment, mentioning the sum of 5-7 billion euros per year, the amount needed for the “fast start” financial package for poorer countries in 2010-13. But any decision on the share of EU “commitment” (between 10% and 30%) for the package and its international component (about 100 billion euros from 2013 to 2020) has been postponed until the results of the Copenhagen conference are known. Of particular importance will be the comparable pledges that the other international partners, first and foremost the United States, sign up to. For the “fast start” component, the agreement reached with the eastern countries is that the contribution will be partly based on a voluntary mechanism.
Immigration: Italy completely satisfied, says Frattini
“The most important proposals advanced recently by Prime Minister Berlusconi and the French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, have been implemented”, said Frattini. The Minister cited the go-ahead to establish a European Asylum Agency before the end of December to strengthen Frontex, the European border patrol Agency, and the Commission appeal to conclude the negotiations between the European Union and Libya. As Frattini underscored, “we naturally now expect those decisions to be translated into concrete action”.
New appointments: an extraordinary summit in November now likely
The decision on the appointment of a permanent EU president and high representative for European foreign policy will probably be adopted at an extraordinary summit in November, after the candidacies have been presented and the appointments discussed by the Council.
Lisbon Treaty: “the last obstacle” has been overcome
The agreement with the Czech Republic has smoothed the way for the Lisbon Treaty to enter into force, which according to the French President could be as early as 1 December. The agreement translates into a protocol, still to be ratified, on an opt-out from the Charter of Fundamental Rights annexed to the Treaty. “This was the very, very, very last concession that could be made”, commented Minister Frattini, explaining that the protocol adopted “does not amend the Lisbon Treaty”.
European Council: Iran, we are talking about negotiations, not sanctions, says Frattini
“We need to negotiate”, and at the European Council “we certainly won’t be talking about sanctions” against Iran, said Minister Frattini. “We are now waiting for an Iranian counterproposal, which we will evaluate”, added the Minister. He did not hide, however, that “some concerns have been confirmed” by the European summit.