Yalchin Rafiyev: Europe understands significance of getting deal on climate finance

Europe understands the significance of getting a deal on climate finance, Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister and COP29 Lead Negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev said in an interview with Sky News, Report informs.

"Of course, high-level political engagement is important," Rafiyev said.

Sky News recalled that some EU leaders will also be absent from the climate talks in Baku as they fend off political turmoil at home. Olaf Scholz's German government is in disarray, and the Dutch prime minister is dealing with football violence, as cited by Sky News.

The COP29 lead negotiator stated that Azerbaijan has to increase its gas production because of commitments to meet EU demand.

Yalchin Rafiyev also mentioned that he had meetings with American colleagues after Donald Trump's election victory in the US, and they remain constructive.

Rafiyev said he remains "optimistic" about the challenges facing COP29 - including Donald Trump's US election win.

Asked if the president-elect is bad news for climate action, he said: "I wouldn't say so." He has already met with US counterparts since the election, and they remain constructive, he added.