The Czech Republic, current holder of the rotating presidency of the European Union, has praised US president Barack Obama's efficiency in appointing in his first week of office all the key US officials who will negotiate a future global agreement on climate protection.

Martin Bursik, Czech environment minister and deputy prime minister and the president of the EU environment council, said in a January 27 2009 statement  "Barack Obama is quickly implementing what he has promised".

Bursik said that on January 28 he would speak on the phone with Carol Browner, assistant to the president for energy and climate change.

"Certainly, we will discuss particularly the significant change in the American attitude to climate negotiations. The United States and Europe have a joint objective as of January 20, quality agreement on climate protection to be concluded in December in Copenhagen. Europe has gained a strong partner," Bursik said.

Obama also appointed a new US environmental protection agency administrator, Lisa Jackson, who was confirmed in her function by the US senate on January 23.

On January 26, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton appointed the US administration special envoy for climate change, Todd Stern. Stern will lead the US team that will head the negotiations prior to the Copenhagen Conference.

"I am looking forward to the co-operation with Carol Browner, Todd Stern and Lisa Jackson. I am confident that at the end of this co-operation will be an ambitious and efficient world agreement that will help protect the climatic balance of our planet," Bursik said.