ARGENTINA'S VIEWS ON THE POTENTIAL INCLUSION OF

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002695 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EB/TRA/OTP MEGAN WALKLET-TIGHE AND IO/T BRUSSELS FOR TRANSPORTATION OFFICER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ECON SENV AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA'S VIEWS ON THE POTENTIAL INCLUSION OF INTERNATIONAL AVIATION IN THE EUROPEAN EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME REF: A. STATE 188369 ¶B. SCHANDLBAUER/WALKLET-TIGHE EMAIL 12/01 ¶1. (U) This cable is sensitive but unclassified, and not for Internet distribution. ¶2. (SBU) Embassy officers made Ref A points to officials from Argentina's foreign ministry and transportation secretariat November 30. After first saying that Argentina would not take a position on the issue (Ref B),Mariana Rodriguez from the MFA's office of the Special Representative for International Environmental Negotiations clarified the GOA's position December 4. ¶3. (SBU) Rodriguez told the Embassy that the inclusion of aircraft emissions in the European emissions trading scheme does not appear appropriate to Argentina, as it would be the manifestation of a unilateral EU decision with extraterritorial consequences, particularly for countries far removed geographically from the European continent. Argentina does appreciate, however, what Rodriguez described as a "greater political will" in European countries to move forward in various fora to face the increase in aircraft emissions, an issue of concern to Argentina. That posture compares favorably in Argentina's view, Rodriguez continued, with the position of "other countries that prefer to postpone this consideration and focus their efforts only on improving operations and technology." MATERA