Today, Minister of the Environment Mr. Heiki Kranich had a meeting with Minister of Transport, Public Works and Water Management of The Netherlands Ms. Tineke Netelenbos for discussing issues related to the initiation of joint projects between Estonia and The Netherlands. According to Kranich, Estonia has a high interest in the initiation of joint projects in cooperation with The Netherlands which can be officially launched after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries. In the case of possibility, the Memorandum will be signed in the summer already. One of the preconditions for signing the document is the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) which is currently also planned for the coming summer. With the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, a legal basis will be provided for Estonian-Dutch cooperation with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Protocol. For reaching agreement on the final text of the Memorandum, experts of the Estonian Ministry of the Environment will meet representatives of the Dutch Ministry in the end of May. The Kyoto Protocol lays an obligation for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions within 2008-2012 by 8% as compared with the 1990 level. At the meeting, activities of the two countries for implementation of the European Union Water Framework Directive were also discussed. Minister Kranich considered cooperation to date as having been successful. Additional information: Mr. Andres Kratovits, Director General, International Cooperation Department; Telephone: (+372) 626 2841, (+372) 52-68071 |
