Copenhagen Summit/ Commitment by India
Nuclear disarmament
Revitalization of NATO-Russian cooperation
Copenhagen Summit/ Commitment by India
France welcomes India’s announcement that it will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy by 20-25% compared with 2005 levels by 2020.
Climate change is a global challenge which requires a response that is global, immediate and guided by principles of justice and equity.
This is the response that is at stake at the Copenhagen Summit and the decision announced by India gives an important signal at a time when the deliberations and negotiations are just getting underway.
This commitment is all the more encouraging given that India is burdened with particular constraints associated with its development and has begun a determined fight against poverty.
Given these circumstances, it is vital that the Copenhagen Summit lead to an agreement that forms the basis of a new model for sustainable development.
France reaffirms its determination to work with India and all of its partners in order to put together an ambitious, just and balanced agreement in Copenhagen, based on the Franco-Brazilian agreement.
We have taken note of the statements by the Russian and American presidents who have pledged to conclude, as soon as possible, a new agreement on nuclear disarmament that corresponds to the principles of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) which expired on Saturday.
We encourage the United States and Russia to swiftly conclude this negotiation which will constitute further progress regarding disarmament.
I would like to remind you that Russia and the United States possess 95% of the world’s nuclear weapons and that the continuation of the process to reduce American and Russian nuclear weapons is one of the key priorities of the Action Plan on Disarmament, adopted by the European Union in December 2008 under the French presidency.
Revitalization of NATO-Russian cooperation
The first formal NATO-Russia Council (NRC) at the foreign minister level since December 2007 made it possible to establish that, apart from key disputes relating to Georgia and the CFE Treaty, the Allies and Russia are prepared to work together on security issues of joint interest.
The holding of this meeting and above all the adoption of three documents aimed at defining the work of the NATO-Russia Council (work program, document on improving the operation of the NRC and a mandate for the joint assessment of challenges) demonstrate the willingness of the Allies and Russia to translate the resumption of this partnership into concrete actions. France is pleased with this positive development.
These three documents provide a solid foundation for relaunching and strengthening concrete cooperation in the areas of joint interest: the fight against terrorism, the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and anti-missile defense, as well as the dialogue on the stabilization of Afghanistan.
By strengthening political dialogue and practical cooperation, we are therefore helping to restore trust which is essential for establishing a solid partnership.