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EU, US unable to make breakthrough on climate change
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-11 07:25 BRDO, Slovenia -- Differences across the Atlantic remain on climate change after an EU-US summit which ended Tuesday with Washington emphasizing obligations of emerging economies while the European Union (EU) stressing the leading role of most developed countries. "Unless China and India are at the table ... I don't see how an international agreement can be effective," US President George W. Bush told a press conference at the end of the summit. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the EU also wants a global agreement with China and India on board. But he said leadership of the EU and the United States will make it easier to get such an agreement. "We hope that the United States and Europe can work even closer on this issue," he told the press conference. "It is important now to move ahead," he said. Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa, who hosted the summit, warned that time is running out for a global agreement by the end of 2009. Bush seemed to be more optimistic. "I think we can actually get an agreement on global climate change during my presidency," said Bush, without elaborating. He leaves office on January 20, 2009. Climate change has been a thorny issue in transatlantic relations. The EU has unilaterally promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent by 2020 below 1990 levels. The Bush administration has refused to set mandatory goals, citing the need to engage major emerging economies. The United States and the EU talked about tough sanctions against Iran unless it suspends uranium enrichment. "A group of countries can send a clear message to the Iranians, " Bush said, referring to a new proposal from Britain, China, France, Germany Russia and the United States. "And that is: we're going to continue to isolate you, we'll continue to work on sanctions, we'll find new sanctions if need be if you continue to deny the just demands of a free world, which is to give up your enrichment program." "Iran with nuclear weapons will be incredibly dangerous for world peace," he warned. |
