Brazil applauds Putin's ratification of Kyoto Protocol

Brazil's environment ministry praised Russia's decision to join the Kyoto Protocol, expressing hope that other holdout nations would follow suit. Minister Marina Silva said Brazil, a founding supporter of the accord, viewed the move as a positive signal to non-signatories.

Vladimir Putin signed the climate agreement on Friday, days after Russia's parliament approved it. The pact, designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions, had been stalled for years without Russian or US participation. Russia's formal commitment takes effect 90 days after the UN receives official notification.

The protocol was established at a 1997 UN climate conference. The United States, the world's largest emitter at the time, withdrew in March 2001 and has not rejoined.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in November 2004, in its own words.