MEPs challenge Trade Commissioner on controversial paper contradicting EU policy on coal financing

(European Parliament, Brussels, 30 January 2015) Twelve members of the European Parliament from 5 of the 7 political groupings in the Parliament have written EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström to express their "deep concerns about a non-paper for an EU position for the OECD negotiations drafted by your DG. According to this paper, public subsidies for the export of coal fired plants would be maintained. We believe that this proposal would be inconsistent with EU policies, especially with the claim of international climate leadership in the year of the COP21 where the world will assess the credibility of developed countries’ commitments to fight climate change." A European group of Finance Ministry officials will meet Monday 2nd February to finalise the EU position on public support for coal power plants abroad.