Copenhagen UN Summit on Climate change : From "Global Warming" to "Global O. Wanted" ?
* Copenhagen/Angelo Marcopolo/- The urgent need for a Global Organization able to tackle vital issues for all Humanity, in a democratic but also efficient way, was never before so obvious as in the strange semi-conclusion at the Copenhagen UNO Summit of some 120 Heads of State or Government on Climate Change.
Officially, the UN Conference, after a sudden standstill while intense informal negotiations were going on at Top level, and a strange, endless night from Friday to Saturday (18 to 19 December 2009), was obliged to simply "take note" of a "political" "Copenhagen Agreement", which had been anounced to Journalists (including "EuroFora") by French President Sarkozy, US President Obama, Chinese Premier Jiabao, and Russian President Medvedev, earlier, from Friday evening, while several "Drafts" had started to circulate at the '"Bella Center" Press Room. (See earlier "EuroFora"s news).
But a Group of developing Countries loudly denounced this deal, as well as most actors on Environment issues. Many hours after French President Sarkozy had given a Critical Support, in coordination with German Chancellor Merkel and others, the EU did not hide its "disappointment", compared to Europe's and Scientists' expectations, but said that it preferred to have at least a partial Global deal, instead of nothing, according to Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeld and EU Commission's President Barroso,
Sarkozy, speaking earlier to Journalists including "EuroFora" at Copenhagen almost at the same time that Obama did, stressed that for the 1st time, US and China take some political and insufficient, but real commitments to struggle against Climate Change, in order to limit Temperature rise at less than 2 degrees, while in the Past they had stayed out of the movement. Moreover, all Countries are invited to present briefly a list of concrete commitments they undertake in an annualy reviewed Appendix, and certain measures to protect and promote Forests, (a point on which he had strongly insisted since his May 2009 visit at Urmatt, near Strasbourg : See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/sarkozyforests.html ). In addition, all the countries involved agreed to prepare a binding text the soonest.
It's true, however, and highly regrettable, that there is no legally binding text, nor a Time Deadline of 1 year in order to obtain one. Nor concretre commitments on the CO2 Emmission cuts per country, or on how to share financial aid to developing nations. And the proposal to create an International Organization for the Environment was skipped, leaving open the Question on "who will Monitor the commitments ?"
But Sarkozy replied to those who claimed that Europe should not have accepted such a text, that, otherwise, the USA, China, and others would remain without any commitment, undertaken inside a collective process, to act against Climate Change, as they were in the Past. On the contrary, now, for the 1st time, it was together with USA, China, and other notoriously hesitant countries, that the international community could start to act.
Nevertheless, Sarkozy was among those who reiterated a strong criticism against a cumbersome way to proceed inrto decision-making inside the UNO's usual process, where unanimity may give occasions to a minority to block progress, while, at the same time, the absence of many important countries and/or GeoPolitical areas at UNO's SC made it lack a large enough representativity- "Something has to change in the way to take decisions !", the French President stressed,
Observers noted that except from an apparent U-turn in Brazil's stance, (probably due also to the fact that USA's Obama agreed to propose some Financial measures to support Forests, even if less than what had been initially proposed by Sarkozy), it seems that it was mainly USA's and China's eagerness not to become isolated in their Past refusals vis aé vis EU's "advanced" positions against Climat Change, reportedly supported also by Russia, many developing Countries, the Ecological movement, etc, that made Obama and Jibiao start to move at last a bit.
Naturally, after Obama, who is the 1st US President to clearly acknowledge Global Warming, heard earlier at Copenhagen even a British Socialist, as CoE's Rapporteur on Climate Change, former deputy Prime MInister John Prescott, an experienced former Kyoto negotiator, strongly denounce the fact "the US emits 20 tonnes of CO2 per Person a Year compared to about 6 tonnes for China, 2 for India and less than 1 for Africa", and "has a GDP per Person 7 times higher than China", while "the ..UN principle" is that "the polluter pays", because, otherwise, "the possibility of an agreement between rich and poorer countries" would become much more difficult", this obviously incited the US to avoid more criticism by brokering a fast deal.
(PHOTO : This is as far as Journalists at UNFCCC had a chance to see Obama : Except from a late Video, and some US Officials' briefings far away from the Press Room at the other side of Bella Center, suddenly the new US President unexpectedly crossed the upper corridor at the Press Conference room, but at such a fast pace that almost nobody had the time to at least take a Photo...)
------
Thus, French President Nicolas Sarkozy's, and German Chancellor Merkel, might have been right, in their attempts to make Europe's proposals lead in the World against Climate Change, while also welcoming even insufficient 1st moves from USA and other countries, which need strong diplomatic struggles in order to gain in substance during the next few years, and in particular on 2010, when the next UN FCCC's Summit at Mexico will be prepared by e bi-weekly Top meeting at Bonn, Germany. (Comp. relevant "Eurofora"'s correspondence from Brussels : EU Summit).
Meanwhile, EU reportedly decided to create a European Organization for the protection of the Environment, "open to participation from all other willing 3rd Countries", Sarkozy anounced.
Given Russia's "constructive attitude", as the French President acknowledged, the PanEuropean CoE might give a usefull Contribution in this direction, considering also the fact that USA, Canada, Japan and Mexico already have a Special Status at the CoE, where China could, perhaps, find in Climate a way to gain a Status for which Sport and Olympic games were not enough. Central Asian Countriess as Kazakhstan, etc, already started to develop links, while CoE's "North-South" Center, located at Lisbon, could foster useful links also on Climate Change with South-Mediterranean and African Countries, as well as the Middle-East, Asia, etc. Recent moves such as in order to crreate a "Human Right to a Healthy Environment", etc, pave a way.
Meanwhile, illustrating the current problems, an impressive single long quew formed by hundreds of delegates, NGOs, Journalists, staff, etc., desperaely trying to reach a sandwich and a coffee in a suddenly deserted huge area, at Copenhagen's Bella Center, which was previously full of people, Events, Cafés, Snacks, and "fresh natural diet" Restaurants of any kind, Computers, etc., before main political actors agreed a compromise and left the giant "Bella Center" complex at the outskirts of a snowy Copenhagen, was the only sign of life from 10 p.m. up to 4 o' clock in the "morning" of this too long Night between Friday 18th and Saturday19th of December 2009, until UNFCCC was reportedly limited into merely "taking note" of the "Accord" brokered one day earlier by a group of countries...
UNO's Secretary General, ''Ban Ki Moon was due to clarify the position of UNO, after some short statements at Copehagen, and indicatze the road lying for 2010 with a full Press Confference at New York, his new Spokesperson, Martin Nesirsky told "EuroFora".
Nesirsky observed that "the SG is due to focus on Copenhagen's outcome, but, he's also willing give more support to the Millenium Goals on Development. In fact, there ia link between Climate Change and Development, since, in general, it's the poorest Countries who suffer the most from Climate Change", the New UNO SG's Spokesman told "EuroFora".
But, meanwhile, the exceptional Extreme Weather phenomena which suddenly stroke Europe and USA at the aftermath of Copenhagen's UN Summit on Climat Change, with SnowStorms of rare intensity, (See other related NewStory), was a crystal-clear indication that the need to take care of Natural Environmennt and of Planet Earth's Climate, is more urgent.
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The official presentation of a "Program" respecting People's choices voted in the June 7, 2009 EU Elections, to be debated in EU Council and EU Parliament during its 1st Session on July in Strasbourg, is the No 1 Priority, according to Democratic principles, for the Franco-German axis, said the main winners at the ballot box, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angie Merkel.
They stressed that the New EU Commission's President must have a "Program" in favor of an EU which "protects" its Citizens, regulates financial markets and aims at a "Political" Europe" : a wording they have used as incompatible with Turkey's controversial EU bid.
They also declared ready for a "political" endorsment of "Mr. Barroso's candidacy" in June's EU Council, considering that an official decision would have to be made after EU Parliament's debates and votes, possibly from next month (July), with the legally necessary final acceptance shortly after Lisbon Treaty's entry into force, hoped for September or October.
- "A Program, and Mr. Barroso" : This resumes, in substance, the anouncements made by Sarkozy and Merkel, on the question of current EU Commission's President, Barroso's declared wish to succeed to himself for a second mandate, to be extended during the following 5 years.
In their 1st meeting after EU Elections, they observed that "the Franco-German axis counted in European Elections' campaign... But, we both keep a realistic view : We saw the number of those who abstained, and we must absolutely give them an answer. We also see the disilusionment of an important number of Europeans vis a vis Europe, and we are aware of the responsibilities we have".
- The "Duty" of the new EU Commission's President, after June 7, 2009 EU Elections' result, "is to act for a Europe which protects the Europeans, to commit himself into working for a better Regulation of Financial transactions, ... and to have a Political will for Europe", underlined Sarkozy.
Therefore, "we have asked M. Barroso... to clarify, to officialy present the intentions he has", he anounced.
- "We want to speak also about the Programme", explained Merkel.
- "It's important that for the next EU Parliament's mandate (2009-2014) we take the right Decisions for Europe. Obviously on Persons, but mainly Decisions on Issues", she stressed.
- "It's not simply a question of a Person, it's also a question of a Programme". We are "really asking Mr. Barroso to commit himself on a Program, and on Principles, on Values", Sarkozy added.
EU President-in-office, Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer, accepted the Franco-German stance :
- "Barroso must present his Programme. The Czech Presidency agrees with that", Fischer reportedly said later, after meeting Sarkozy.
But Press reports from Brussels claimed that Barroso had preferred to be officially appointed by EU Council since June, (i.e. next week), "because this was implied by the current Treaty of Nice, according to him", and considered any delay until the possible ratification of the new, Lisbon Treaty on September/October, as "undemocratic".
- "At any case, independently of what Germany and France ask, it's also EU Parliament's wish". "We shall propose Mr Barroso's candidacy... But even in the framework of Nice Treaty, EU Parliament has to be associated in this Decision", the French President observed.
If this is correctly done, then "we support Mr. Barroso's candidature", and "if the (EU) Parliament agrees, we might ratify this decision since July", (i.e. next month), they both said.
- "France and Germany support Baroso's candidacy, But we want to speak also on the Program. We believe that this Program should be established in close cooperation with EU Parliament, and that's why we have followed an appropriate way", said Merkel. - If EU Parliament wants, this election can take place on July, but this must be done in full agreement.
- "We shall support Mr. Barroso's candidacy, without doubt", said Sarkozy. "But we have asked from Mr. Barroso, as I told him yesterday, to put into detail.. his intentions, at the eve of his 2nd mandate, if the situation avails itself.
France and Germany "don't want to take an Official Legal Decision by writting" during "the next (EU) Council" (on June 18-19), declared Sarkozy. Because they prefer, at this stage, only "a Political decision" on June, "so that we (EU Council) can work together with EU Parliament", which starts to meet only Next Month, since July in Srasbourg, "leaving a Legal decision by writting for later".
- "If the Conditions are fuillfiled in EU Parliament, we (EU Council) are ready to give the agreement and make it offficial", said Merkel
- "But, now we are working in the base of Nice Treaty. If tommorow we want to work in the spirit of Lisbon Treaty, we have to find a proper way", she added.
- "Of course it's Legally complicated, because we are going to make a Political proposal to the forthcoming Council, for an EU Commission's President, on the basis of Nice Treaty : So, we (EU Council) will not appoint the Commissioners. Only the President. If EU Parliament agrees, it could endorse this position on July", explained Sarkozy.
But, on Autumn, "if Ireland ratifies Lisbon Treaty, there will be, at any case, a 2nd Decision, to appoint the Commission's President, this time on the basis of Lisbon treaty, and then, we, the EU Member States, would have to appoint (also) the EU Commissioners", he added.
As for the precise Timing : - "Everything is suspended until the Irish vote... Now, we must all make everything possible to help Ireland to say "Yes"" to Lisbon Treaty... The Irish Referendum, ..will take place either on September or on October. It's a Question which depends on the Irish. And, then, we shall have the Choice of the Candidates for the permanent Institutions of Europe".
However, "if Ireland says No, we, French and Germans, have to assume our responsibilities, and we'll do so", he concluded.
But British and Swedish governments were reportedly eager to have a final EU Council decision on Barroso since this month, on June's European Council. While the other EU Member Countries are divided, several of them preferring to wait until EU Parliament pronounces itself, on July, and/or until Lisbon Treaty might be ratified by Ireland at the beginning of the Autumn. Barroso's current mandate ends on November.
There are also various, contradictory and/or unpredictable reactions inside EU Parliament vis a vis Barroso's wish to continue a 2nd mandate, because many MEPs are openly or secretly opposed, reluctant, or hesitating.
In the biggest EU Countries, as France and Germany, EU Citizens voted on June 2009 EU Elections for a renovated, non-technocratic but Political Europe which cares for its Citizens, with an Identity, Values and Borders, declared incompatible with Turkey's controversial EU bid, by mainstream, pro-European Governing Parties. Similar choices were also supported in several other small or medium EU Countries.
On the contrary, whenever, in other Countries, Governing and other mainstream Parties didn't make these choices or eluded them, EU Citizens massively voted for euro-Sceptics whenever they were the only ones to to promise anti-bureacratic change and oppose Turkey's demand to enter into the EU, (f.ex. in the UK, Netherlands, etc).
It's seems to be an Open Question whether Sarkozy and Merkel's conditions will be really accepted by Barroso, who was appointed on 2004 in a different political context, (with Socialist Prime Ministers in Germany, France, etc), had rejected in the Past the idea of EU becoming "equal to the USA" as "ridiculous", and pushed for Turkey's contoversial EU bid, trying to "soften" or contain the changes desired by the People who voted for Merkel and Sarkozy with another policy vis a vis Turkey on 2005 in Germany and on 2007 in France, as they did all over Europe on 2009.
In addition to many EPP Governments, it's 3 remaining Socialist Prime Ministers : Gordon Brown in the UK, Zapatero in Spain, and Socrates in Prortugal, who support Barroso, as well as Liberal Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt. But their Parties lost the June 2009 EU Elections.
Questioned whether there was still "Time" for "other" possible "Candidates", Sarkozy and Merkel did not deny, nor made any comment on that, but simply said that "it's not for us to make publicity for any candidates. We anounced our choice ("A Program, and Mr. Barroso"). But we respect any other candidate".
Among various other names cited are former Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt, former UNO's Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson of Ireland, Italian former EU Commission's vice-President Monti, etc. Meanwhile, Luxembourg's PM Juncker, (who had been unanimously accepted by EU Council for EU Commission's Presidency on 2004, but refused), announced his intention to resign from "EuroGroup"'s Chair. Thus, he might be available for another Top EU job.
As "EuroFora"'s "opinion" said (See publication dated 9/6/09) : - "If the current candidates (i.e. Barroso, etc) to the Top EU jobs promise and guarantee to respect People's democratic choices, then, it's OK".
"Otherwise, Europe must find new candidates, really motivated and able to implement these democratic choices of the People."
Because, "in Democracy, the forthcoming choices for EU's Top Jobs,...should be made according to EU Citizens' Votes in June 7, 2009 European Elections, and main EU Governments' strategic policies".
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