Talks on an international climate deal to...

"The diplomatic process on a new climate agreement will begin right after the New Year holidays," Igor Chestin said.

The negotiations in Copenhagen ended with no legally binding treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, due to differences on emission targets and finance between industrialized and developing nations.

But the talks yielded an accord that essentially allows countries to set their own emission reduction goals until 2020. And negotiators agreed to set up an emission verification system and reduce deforestation.

The Kyoto Protocol, a legally binding agreement restricting carbon emissions, expires in 2012. A new deal is needed to continue efforts beyond 2012.

MOSCOW, December 28 (RIA Novosti)