- Is there a definition finally, or not?
The draft resolution on environmental refugees is rather comprehensive. It includes the definition of environmental refugee as is should be included in the future convention on environmental refugees. Germany and the UK believe that it is rather important to notice, that this definition should not be considered as absolutely finalized due to the fact that this is actually a very first resolution on environmental refugees. If we determine the final version of definition prior to the conduct of the convention, we could left out some of the aspects that at the moment are not within our sight.
It should be understandable that EU does not oppose the conduct of definition but what we are trying to stress is the fact that in some later time, namely when the text of the convention will be in the process of drafting, we could discover new aspects that should be also included in the definition.
The GDC Committee for environmental refugees that formed the draft of the definition deserves approbation for their devotion and work that resulted in this draft definition.
2. Is there still a lot of things to change or negotiate?
Differences of opinion do exist, we cannot deny that. On the other hand, we believe that the protection of persons is in our common interest. In that way we believe that no such difference exist that could not be solved through dialogue.
3. How's your relation with the developed countries?
As once already pointed out, at the very beginning of our informal negotiation process there have been quite many disagreements between the EU and the GDC committee on ER, especially on the definition of environmental refugees, comprehensiveness of the draft resolution on ER, etc. However, it is in the interest of us all to help those who flee from the loss of their livelihoods due to environmental reasons. Since even scientists do not agree on terminology, identification and protection of environmental refugees, it was expected that there would be certain disagreements between the delegates facing totally different situations with regards to this challenge in their home countries. However, the compromises we have found prove that the vulnerability of ER is the main concern of all the countries and that this is the basis of our cooperation and common solutions.
We should keep in mind that negotiations on this particular draft resolution have not been isolated, meaning that they are just a part of the whole negotiation process of the 63rdUNGA session. There are three items on the present agenda which of course demands different negotiations on three different topics. However, the atmosphere of the whole negotiations has been built from the very first day of our (informal) negotiations on whatever the topic was at that time and the relations between the developed and developing countries have been shaped along the existing atmosphere. At the end of the day, we can conclude that despite existing tensions and disagreements, we are happy to inform you that our negotiations have been productive and we hope that the process will continue in good faith.
Simona Novinec, the Representative of Germany
Polona Mal, the Representative of GB