The European Commission welcomes the recent declarations made in US Government circles which demonstrate a willingess to seriously and efficiently tackle world energy and environment problems. The European Commission is especially pleased to see the new US administration thinking about measures regarding a possible environment and energy tax. The European Commission has already approved such measures but they are subject to a "conditionality clause". Mr Paleokrassas, Commissioner in charge of environmental policy, declared : "If the USA is adopting such a plan, this will open the door to a rapid implementation of provisions necessary to fulfill the pledges made in Rio by all developed countries. This would also offer a new opportunity for further cooperation between the EC and the USA in that crucial field". * * *
