This week, EU climate ministers met in Cyprus with the aim of finding a way to strengthen their position ahead of future climate negotiations. France entered the negotiations with the message that trade and climate aid can be used to a greater extent to drive the global transition.
After difficulty being heard for their priorities during COP30 in Belem EU climate ministers met on 5–6 February in Lefkosia in Cyprus to jointly discuss how they can strengthen their position in upcoming international climate negotiations.
In the days before the meeting in Cyprus, Monique Barbut stated, Minister of France for climate and ecological transition, for Radio France Internationale aSolidarity and cooperation are no longer effective tools at the negotiating table. The EU needs to become more transactional and use its role as one of the world's largest climate aid donors and trading partners to force greater compliance with the Paris Agreement by partner countries, she said. For example, by withdrawing climate aid for countries that do not live up to their climate commitments.
France's approach gained traction during the collective discussions in Cyprus, there Emphasis should have been placed on how external policy instruments in trade and finance can help strengthen the EU's competitiveness and efficiency in future negotiations.
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