Vladimir Putin: Russia set to "work positively" to ratify Kyoto protocol

Russia is set to do "positive work" towards ratification of the Kyoto protocol and the United Nations framework convention on climate modification , said Vladimir Putin at a press conference after his talks with FRG's president.

Russia "has a positive attitude towards the negotiating process and the goals set by the Kyoto protocol," said the Russian president. "There are questions to be decided at the expert level," he added.

One of these questions is consideration for Russia's environment-rehabilitating capabilities, said Putin. It is to be taken into account that Russia with its vast reserves of forests "naturally rehabilitates the work ecology", he explained.

The Russian president also reported that "the cabinet has been instructed to continue work" towards ratification of the Kyoto protocol and voiced the hope that this work would lead to the ratification of the document.