Eastern European Countries Agree on Common Line on Green Targets

Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania said that an European agreement on new target would not be possible, unless in-depth analyses by the European Commission and a strong financial backing from Europe’s most developed countries.

‘The proposal relates e.g. to the establishment of a new 40% greenhouse gas emission reduction target for Member States following 2020. During the meeting in Visegrad, Ministers agreed that detailed analyses of the costs of this proposal are needed to be carried out by the Commission. Without their results and fair effort sharing between countries, the agreement on the new target will not be possible. Other topics raised at the V4+3 meeting included a discussion on EU Clean Air Policy and GMO packages,’ reads the note released by the Polish government.

The so-called Visegrad Group – V4 (the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary) is increasing its clout in Europe under Polish leadership.

‘The Ministers maintained their position that there is no need for any legally binding renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, and that the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target should be set at a realistic level to be achieved in a technology-neutral and cost effective way. Besides that, it should respond to the challenges of industrial competitiveness as well as relevant state-aid rule,’ reads the joint agreement signed by the Ministers of Environment of the seven European countries.