European Commission President Romano Prodi has urged non-EU countries to ratify the 1997 Kyoto global warming treaty in a bid to revive the pace of the treaty's ratification process.

'We must keep up the momentum for ratification,' Mr Prodi insisted, following last week's conclusion of the 12th Summit between Japan and the European Union (May 1st to May 2nd).

'Joint efforts must be taken in this direction,' Mr Prodi added, in an address joined by both Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis, whose country holds the EU presidency, and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.

According to AFP, a Japanese foreign ministry official close to the talks quoted Prodi as saying that he was very worried about the Kyoto protocol.

Despite the fact that more than 100 nations have already ratified the treaty, the United States' and Australia's withdrawal from it means that Russia must ratify the treaty for it to enter into force.

Mr Prodi's exhortations came as the EU showed a disappointing performance in its attempts to reduce emissions in figures published this week.