In a process formally known as trilogue, talks between the three European Institutions kicked off on Wednesday night, in less than 24 hours after the Environment Ministers of the European Union adopted a General Approach on the reduction of CO2 emissions from cars.

Maltese MEP Miriam Dalli is leading the negotiations on behalf of the European Parliament, following a vote taken in Strasbourg during which her legislative proposals garnered the support of a strong majority.

“The European Parliament’s position is clear that CO2 emissions from new cars have to be reduced by 20% by 2025 and 40% by 2030. As Parliament, we also agreed to introduce new measures to safeguard the environment, to protect consumers and to maximise fuel savings whilst investing in infrastructure and protecting workers,” Dalli told European Commissioner for Climate Action, Miguel Arias Canete.

Despite the weaker proposals agreed to by the Council of Ministers late Tuesday night, a number of countries - exceeding 17 - have insisted that they disagree with lower ambition targets than those agreed to by the European Parliament. Amongst others, these included Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg and Slovenia who also issued a statement to insist and express their disappointment at the agreement reached by the Council, in the hope that the European Parliament strengthens the law during the negotiation process.

On Twitter, several Member States and organisations - including Swedish Environment Minister Karolina Skog, the Netherlands and Malta - insisted that more ambition was needed and entrusted Miriam Dalli to negotiate a stronger position. BEUC, the European organisation for consumers, said that it would have expected more commitment from EU Member States on cutting CO2 emissions from cars.

“The European Parliament must now stick to its guns and push the other institutions to increase the 2025 & 2030 targets,” BEUC said.

In comments she gave, Dr Miriam Dalli said that the position of the Member States increases her determination to negotiate a stronger result on behalf of the European Parliament.

“I will keep on pushing for a legislation that truly benefits the European Union and its citizens,” Miriam Dalli said.