Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUDAPEST121
2009-02-12 15:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Budapest
Cable title:
HUGARY'S RESPONSE TO EUROPEAN UNION'S EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHUP #0121 0431552 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 121552Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUDAPEST TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3885
UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000121
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA
E.O. 12958: N/A
EAIR, ECON, ETRD, SENV, EU, HU
SUBJECT: HUGARY'S RESPONSE TO EUROPEAN UNION'S EMISSIONS TRADING
SCHEME
REF: STATE 1023
UNCLAS BUDAPEST 000121
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA
E.O. 12958: N/A
EAIR, ECON, ETRD, SENV, EU, HU
SUBJECT: HUGARY'S RESPONSE TO EUROPEAN UNION'S EMISSIONS TRADING
SCHEME
REF: STATE 1023
1. (U) On February 6, Pol/Econoff delivered reftel demarche to
Miklos Szoboszlay, Director General of the Department of Environment
at the Ministry of Transport (MOT). Post stressed that the U.S. has
serious legal and economic concerns regarding the EU directive,
which seeks to unilaterally extend the EU system to non-EU airlines.
2. (SBU) Mr. Szoboszlay explained that the debate on the Emissions
Trading Scheme (ETS) was long and drawn out at the EU. He stated,
"Hungary did not support ETS initially and preferred working through
the International Civil Aviation Organization."
3. (SBU) In an effort to concentrate on implementing the EU
directive, this month MOT will meet with Malev and the Budapest
airport to discuss plans for infrastructure expansion, emissions
measurements, fuel consumption efficiency, and air traffic control
improvements.
4. (SBU) Szoboszlay said Hungary understands both the economic and
legal concerns the U.S. has with the ETS directive. He mentioned
that he had held similar consultations with Australian and Japanese
government officials. However, Hungary is not in a position to deal
with these issues on a bilateral basis. The EU has made its
decision and now member states, including Hungary, must implement.
He realizes this may impact tourism, and offered the suggestion that
U.S. airlines establish hubs along the borders of the EU.
FOLEY
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/ERA
E.O. 12958: N/A
EAIR, ECON, ETRD, SENV, EU, HU
SUBJECT: HUGARY'S RESPONSE TO EUROPEAN UNION'S EMISSIONS TRADING
SCHEME
REF: STATE 1023
1. (U) On February 6, Pol/Econoff delivered reftel demarche to
Miklos Szoboszlay, Director General of the Department of Environment
at the Ministry of Transport (MOT). Post stressed that the U.S. has
serious legal and economic concerns regarding the EU directive,
which seeks to unilaterally extend the EU system to non-EU airlines.
2. (SBU) Mr. Szoboszlay explained that the debate on the Emissions
Trading Scheme (ETS) was long and drawn out at the EU. He stated,
"Hungary did not support ETS initially and preferred working through
the International Civil Aviation Organization."
3. (SBU) In an effort to concentrate on implementing the EU
directive, this month MOT will meet with Malev and the Budapest
airport to discuss plans for infrastructure expansion, emissions
measurements, fuel consumption efficiency, and air traffic control
improvements.
4. (SBU) Szoboszlay said Hungary understands both the economic and
legal concerns the U.S. has with the ETS directive. He mentioned
that he had held similar consultations with Australian and Japanese
government officials. However, Hungary is not in a position to deal
with these issues on a bilateral basis. The EU has made its
decision and now member states, including Hungary, must implement.
He realizes this may impact tourism, and offered the suggestion that
U.S. airlines establish hubs along the borders of the EU.
FOLEY