Burden-sharing not load-shedding in emissions targets agreement
Posted, January 16, 2008 @ 17:00
Welcoming the Slovenian Presidency of the EU today, Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament Giles Chichester MEP stressed that the UK Government and other Member States must live up to their commitments in the emissions targets agreement and looked forward to a more competitive Europe.
He said:
"Europe needs to be more focused on creating new jobs and less concerned with protecting a social model that hampers employment growth. I want to see action on completing the internal market and, in particular, the telecoms sector.
"I welcomed the announcement by the Commissioner last year on further liberalising the telecoms market. We now have the opportunity to reassess the existing framework, get rid of bottlenecks and map out a more competitive future for this crucial industry.
"I also welcome the commitment to pursue vigorously the energy and climate change agenda. The EU has established tough carbon emissions targets and it is now incumbent on Member States to follow through with real action and not just words, to ensure burden-sharing does not just end up as load-shedding.
"I read with concern in the press this week that some Member States are trying to undermine the EU agreement last year on climate change. We will pay particular attention to see that the British Government lives up to the commitments it has entered into."