German Environment Minister Praises Qatar s Presidency of COP 18

Doha, December 7 (QNA) - German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier has praised the important role played by the Qatari presidency of (COP 18) until now in boosting climate change talks and mitigating opinions of Parties at the 18th Conference of Parties (COP 18) serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 8) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Altmaier said in an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) Friday on the sidelines of the COP 18/CMP 8, "The State of Qatar has succeeded thanks to its capabilities in encouraging delegations reach milestones on the path of a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol in anticipation of a comprehensive agreement expected by 2015". "This achievement will contribute to enhancing the State of Qatar s position internationally in relation to cutting greenhouse emissions, he added, reiterating his country s full support of Qatar s presidency of the talks with the aim of solving a number of issues", he added. The German minister hailed the "excellent" bilateral relations between Qatar and Germany in politics, economics and culture. He expressed hopes of fostering relations between the countries in general and specifically in regards to the environment. Altmaier asserted the EU s full support towards achieving success during the Doha talks, indicating that the Union is about to provide over 500 million euros to developing countries, out of which 200 million will go to African countries. The provision, he added, will make the EU the biggest donor funding climate change causes and cutting emissions which cause global warming. On the Conference results, the German Minister expressed high hopes over reaching a roadmap on the New Year’s agreement until 2015, calling on the countries that have not yet taken part in the Protocol to join. He described it as the only legally binding tool in cutting polluting emissions and implementing complete legal plans aimed at facing climate change consequences and adapting to them. (QNA)