EU ENVIRONMENT COMMISSIONER EAGER TO ENHANCE

UNCLAS BRUSSELS 000193

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

OES FOR SPECIAL ENVOY TODD STERN
OES FOR OES/EGC
EUR FOR EUR/ERA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EIND ENRG EUN EWWT KGHG SENV TPHY TRGY
TSPL
SUBJECT: EU ENVIRONMENT COMMISSIONER EAGER TO ENHANCE
COOPERATION


1. (SBU) The Charge d'Affaires met with EU Environment
Commissioner Stavros Dimas on February 9. Dimas said that he
looks forward to working with President Obama's climate team
toward an international agreement. He realizes that "the
transition will take a bit more time" and does not
underestimate the difficulties, but he is optimistic about
the prospects for Copenhagen. He welcomed the President's
long-term target of 80 percent emission reductions by 2050
noting "it is the same as the EU's; mid-term targets can be
discussed."


2. (SBU) "If we work together" he said, "we can bring China
and India on board." China's participation will be necessary
for an effective international agreement. Dimas participated
in a meeting with China's Premier Wen Jiabao and met
separately with NDRC Chairmen Zhang Ping on January 31 during
their visit to Brussels. Dimas reported that China continues
to emphasize that the focus should be on per capita and not
overall emissions. The Chinese officials also stressed that
the one child policy has also minimized greenhouse gas
emissions. Dimas said China will be diffcult, but added
Russia will be more difficult. (Note: Dimas was part of a
delegation of Commissioners that visited Russia on February 6
for high-level talks. End note.) Citing the President, he
said "we have to listen to them, engage them and stress that
it is their planet too," but to get them to commit
themselves, "financing will be necessary."


3. (SBU) The Charge identified three priorities that we hear
from the Europeans with regard to the Transatlantic
relationship: the Middle East peace process, climate
change/energy security, and free trade. He said that the
President has spoken out consistently, since the campaign and
afterward, about the importance of climate change and the
environment. He has appointed a distinguished team of
leaders in these areas. The Charge suggested that Dimas'
experience during the difficult negotiations on the EU's
Climate and Energy legislation may be useful for U.S. policy
makers who may want to examine prospects for cap and trade
legislation. He encouraged Dimas to meet with his
counterparts, but suggested the time may not be ripe now, as
the new administration is still settling in. Given Dimas'
recent meetings with senior Chinese officials, the Charge
noted that a phone call to the Special Envoy for Climate
Change might be useful for both sides.


4. (SBU) Dimas welcomed the Charge's suggestions. He said he
will be available to visit Washington once the new team has
settled in. He looks forward to meeting with his
counterparts to discuss how we can "advance our mutual
objectives."
MURRAY
.