Climate change: Progress report shows EU on track for Kyoto emissions target

The EU is on track to deliver on its Kyoto Protocol commitments for reducing or limiting emissions of greenhouse gases, the European Commission's annual progress report on emissions shows.

The latest projections indicate that the EU-15 will meet, possibly even better, its 8% reduction target for 2008-2012 under Kyoto (against a 1990 base year). In addition, 10 of the 12 remaining EU Member States have individual commitments under the protocol, and they are on track to reduce their emissions to 6 or 8% below base year levels. This will be achieved through a combination of policies and measures already taken; the purchase of emission credits from projects in third countries; the acquisition of allowances and credits by participants in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS); and forestry activities that absorb carbon from the atmosphere.

Commented EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas: "These projections further cement the EU's leadership in delivering on our international commitments to combat climate change. They show the EU-15 is well on track to meet its Kyoto target…And with the EU climate and energy package adopted earlier this year, we have already put in place the key measures to reduce our emissions much further, to at least 20% below 1990 levels by 2020. No other region of the world has yet done this."

But Commissioner Dimas added that a 20% cut "is not enough to prevent dangerous climate change, and that is why the EU has pledged to scale up our reduction to 30% provided other major emitters contribute their fair share to an ambitious global climate agreement in December in Copenhagen. It is crucial that our partners in the industrialized world and the big emerging economies live up to their responsibilities."

For details, see

• Climate change: Progress report shows EU on track to meet or over-achieve Kyoto emissions target (12 November 2009)
• The Copenhagen climate change negotiations: EU position and state of play (9 November 2009)

EU and Iraq ink Partnership and Cooperation deal

The European Commission and Iraq have finalised negotiations on the text of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the Republic of Iraq. The deal establishes a comprehensive platform for enhancing ties and cooperation in a wide range of areas: from political matters such as countering terrorism and promoting human rights, to trade and investment in key areas like energy and services.

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner declared: “This Agreement marks a new beginning in our relationship. The negotiation process itself underlined our determination to play a significant role in Iraq’s transition and to help Iraq improve the living conditions for all its citizens. For the first time we will have a contractual relationship with the new Iraq. There are many things we want to do together in order to increase political and economic stability as well as social welfare in Iraq. With this Agreement, I hope that we will build a very fruitful partnership for many years to come.”

Since the launch of negotiations in November 2006, the draft EU-Iraq Partnership and Cooperation Agreement has grown in both scope and ambition. It provides for regular political dialogue on bilateral, regional and global issues wherever the EU and Iraq have a shared interest in working together. It will improve and clarify bilateral trade arrangements, promoting vital investment and helping to integrate Iraq into the international economy. And it also sets out a framework for continuing cooperation in many fields, from health and education to environment and energy, along with provisions in areas such as combating terrorism, countering proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and promoting human rights.

The agreed text will now be presented to EU Member States for agreement.

For details, see

• EU and Iraq: successful completion of negotiations on historic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (13 November 2009)

EU leaders to meet to decide new top jobs

On 19 November, the EU heads of state and government will meet over a working dinner, convened and hosted by Swedish Prime Minister (and current EU Council President) Fredrik Reinfeldt, to decide which three people will get the Union's new top jobs.

Under the Treaty of Lisbon, which will enter into force on 1 December 2009, three new posts will be created. The European Council will get a permanent President, who will be appointed for two and a half years with the possibility of holding a second term of office. The EU will also get a foreign minister, known as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who will also be Vice-President of the European Commission, and will oversee the EU's new External Action Service. In addition, a Secretary-General of the Council Secretariat will be appointed.

The meeting will be preceded by wide consultations with all EU government leaders, conducted by Prime Minister Reinfeldt himself.

For details, see

• EU Heads of State or Government to meet decide on EU's new top jobs under Lisbon Treaty (11 November 2009)
• "Green light for Lisbon Treaty to enter into force on 1 December" - Interview with Swedish Minister Malmström (4 November 2009)

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