President of the European Commission Jean‑Claude Juncker says the European Union will not renegotiate the Paris Agreement.
Juncker made this announcement in the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday.
He says the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement is more than a sad event and is a sign of abdication from common action in dealing with the fate of our planet.
Juncker says they are disappointed and they regret that decision, but the abandonment of Paris by the US administration will not mean the end of the Agreement.
President of the European Commission says he is convinced that it will make the rest of the world more united and determined to work towards the full implementation of the Paris Agreement.
He says the European Union will not renegotiate the Paris Agreement and the 29 articles of the Agreement must be implemented and not renegotiated.
Junker says climate action does not need more distractions.
He says they have spent 20 years negotiating and now it is the time for action, and is the time for implementation.
He says that he has seen a strengthened resolve from all those who care about the future of the planet and who see the opportunities of a modern economy.
Juncker says this includes partners within the United States such as the states of California, Washington and New York.
He says as the European Union, they will step up their climate diplomacy and collaboration with other partners.
Juncker says decision of the U.S. to go back on its pledge to the Green Climate Fund leaves a major void and from their side they stand firm to their own commitments.
He says they will work with third countries to mobilise the right public and private investments.
