§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with his European counterparts concerning United States policies on carbon dioxide emissions. [156542]
§ The Prime MinisterThe issue was raised at the informal European Council in Stockholm on 23 and 24 March. The Council agreed a declaration which said
The European Council, recognising climate change as a global threat to future well-being and economic progress, recalls the necessity of efficient international action o reduce emissions. It reaffirms its strong commitment to the Kyoto Protocol as the basis for such action and expresses its deep concern at the fact that this Protocol is being called into question. The European Council urges all its negotiation partners to engage constructively in reaching agreements on modalities for implementing the Kyoto Protocol and to facilitate a successful outcome of the resumed COP-6, which will create the conditions for ratification and entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol by 2002