Japan, EU push for energy-saving framework -Kyodo
TOKYO, April 23 (Reuters) - Japanese and European Union leaders were set to agree on Wednesday to push for a new energy-saving framework to curb global warming at a G8 energy ministers meeting in Japan in June, Kyodo news agency reported.
The agreement is to be formally reached at the annual EU-Japan summit in Tokyo, at which the two sides will also discuss the world economy, food safety and other issues of mutual concern, Kyodo said, citing a draft of a post-summit statement.
The new energy-saving framework envisaged countries setting individual goals to improve their energy efficiency, coupled with reviews by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and financial and technology assistance by developed countries -- an initiative aimed at ensuring emerging economies such as China and India join the fight against climate change, the news agency said.
The two sides would also agree to join forces to create an "effective and comprehensive" carbon-capping framework beyond the 2012 expiration of the Kyoto Protocol, according to the draft obtained by Kyodo.
Japan has been pushing for greenhouse gas curbs to be set according to industries such as steel and cement, but Europe has favoured economy-wide targets.
The leaders will also agree to strengthen international and bilateral cooperation to ensure the safety of food and other products, the draft said, reflecting Tokyo's concerns about Chinese products in the wake of food poisoning cases in Japan involving dumplings imported from China.
They are also expected to urge China to make efforts toward solving the situation in Tibet, express concern about the recent surge in oil prices to record highs, and agree to cooperate for a successful conclusion to global market liberalisation talks under the World Trade Organisation "within this year," Kyodo added.
Negotiators in Geneva aiming for a global trade deal failed to resolve disagreements on a key technical issue in farm talks last Friday, calling into question the timing of a proposed ministerial meeting to clinch the accord. [ID:nL01774870]
Japan will host the July 7-9 leaders summit, which will bring together Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. The European Union will also takes part. (Reporting by Linda Sieg)
The agreement is to be formally reached at the annual EU-Japan summit in Tokyo, at which the two sides will also discuss the world economy, food safety and other issues of mutual concern, Kyodo said, citing a draft of a post-summit statement.
The new energy-saving framework envisaged countries setting individual goals to improve their energy efficiency, coupled with reviews by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and financial and technology assistance by developed countries -- an initiative aimed at ensuring emerging economies such as China and India join the fight against climate change, the news agency said.
The two sides would also agree to join forces to create an "effective and comprehensive" carbon-capping framework beyond the 2012 expiration of the Kyoto Protocol, according to the draft obtained by Kyodo.
Japan has been pushing for greenhouse gas curbs to be set according to industries such as steel and cement, but Europe has favoured economy-wide targets.
The leaders will also agree to strengthen international and bilateral cooperation to ensure the safety of food and other products, the draft said, reflecting Tokyo's concerns about Chinese products in the wake of food poisoning cases in Japan involving dumplings imported from China.
They are also expected to urge China to make efforts toward solving the situation in Tibet, express concern about the recent surge in oil prices to record highs, and agree to cooperate for a successful conclusion to global market liberalisation talks under the World Trade Organisation "within this year," Kyodo added.
Negotiators in Geneva aiming for a global trade deal failed to resolve disagreements on a key technical issue in farm talks last Friday, calling into question the timing of a proposed ministerial meeting to clinch the accord. [ID:nL01774870]
Japan will host the July 7-9 leaders summit, which will bring together Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. The European Union will also takes part. (Reporting by Linda Sieg)
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