Interview: EU official says restrictions on tech transfer in developing countries should be removed

Restrictions on technology transfer in developing countries should be removed to achieve quicker pace in combating climate change, a senior European Union (EU) official said here Thursday.

"It is important that a platform be established, allowing more speedy and efficient cooperation and transfer of technology," said Jo Leinen, vice-chair of the European Parliament delegation to the Marrakech climate change conference.

He said technology transfer is still a difficult issue due to intellectual property protection mostly concerned by the private companies which own the technologies.

The official underscored the finalization of a bilateral investment agreement between China and the EU, hoping it would act as a "door opener" for climate friendly technology to be transferred between both sides.

The EU values China as its "perfect partner" in fulfillment of climate protection goals, he said, hailing China's leadership in climate protection, and said he believes that new technologies will help China to further step up efforts in climate governance.

Regarding the possible pull-out of the U.S. from the Paris Agreement on climate change, he confirms EU's commitment under the agreement, saying that China and EU could be leaders on a global level.

"China's 13th Five-Year Plan and EU's 2020 Strategy...can increase and should increase our cooperation in new technology," he said, highlighting the cooperation in sectors of power, transport and IT will "make all operations more efficient."

Meanwhile, he also stressed the importance of public-private partnership in terms of financing climate protection measures, while public money is to cover the risks, and private money is motivated to fill the financing gap, especially if the U.S. retrieves from the obligation.

The EU "won't act passive" if the U.S. steps out its responsibility, he added, confirming possible border tax on U.S. goods under condition of an "unfair play." Endit