Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 4 • Number 2 • 6th February 2004
EU Official Hints at Trade-Off Between Russian WTO Accession and Kyoto
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At a recent German parliamentary hearing, European Enlargement Commissioner Günter Verheugen suggested that there may be a trade-off on the horizon between Russia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and its accession to the WTO. Summing up the link between the two issues, Verheugen said, “I understand it as an attempt [by Russia] to get us to relax some of our demands for Russian WTO entry and then to compensate for that by signing the Kyoto protocol”. The Russian Federation has been seeking WTO membership since 1993, with intensification of its efforts under the economic programme of Vladimir Putin’s administration. The EU has considerable influence at the WTO and is Russia’s principal trading partner. Russia, which accounts for 17 percent of emissions, can effectively block the Protocol’s entry into force, given the US decision to abstain. To come into effect, the international treaty — designed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases believed to be responsible for global warming — needs to be ratified by 55 countries accounting for 55 percent of emissions. Russia continues to have reservations about the treaty’s effect on economic growth and the number of participants that will adhere to its provisions. Some European states have hinted that a review of their own emissions policies may be in order if Moscow fails to ratify the treaty, fearing a competitive disadvantage due to increased costs. EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström however denied any linkages between the Russian WTO Accession process and the country’s signature of the Kyoto Protocol. “Our trade people are not interested in that and I don’t see how it could happen,” she said.
“EU’s Verheugan Sees Russia WTO Entry, Kyoto Link,” REUTERS, 28 January 2004; “Russia: Kyoto Pact Harms Economy,” REUTERS, 2 December 2003, “European Commission Splits Over Kyoto Protocol,” ENS, 2 February 2004.
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