European Union leaders overcame differences on funding for climate change,
and moved forward on new leadership posts for the 27-member block as they
wrapped up a two-day summit. Transcript of radio broadcast. Source: VOA
Click here to listen
European Union leaders meeting in Brussels
hailed an agreement on climate change, reached after weeks of wrangling over how
much members should contribute to developing countries to adapt to global
warming.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso
called the deal an important breakthrough at a joint press conference with Prime
Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of Sweden, which currently holds the rotating
European Union presidency.
"We can now look the rest of the world in the
eyes and say we Europeans, we have done our job. We are ready for
Copenhagen. We have agreed on a negotiating mandate, we have a clear endorsement
on some of the [European] Commission's proposals, notably on financing. I think
this is essential."
Under the deal, the 27-member bloc would contribute to
an overall annual aid fund of $74 billion for poorer nations. But they didn't
specify how much Europe would contribute compared with other nations. Mr.
Barroso and Mr. Reinfeldt will be discussing climate change next week with U.S.
President Barack Obama in Washington.
The Europeans also began discussing
the broad outlines of future leadership posts for the European Union, once a
reforming charter known as the Lisbon Treaty is fully ratified. Members hope
that will happen before the year's end. The charter sets up new offices,
including the powerful post of president of the European Union.
And Mr.
Barroso says they agreed to keep in place stimulus measures to fight the
economic crisis.
"We must maintain efforts until the moment we finally
overcome the crisis. At the same time, we need to prepare exit
strategies in a coordinated way."
The heads of state are expected to hold
another summit next month to discuss candidates for the new EU presidency job.
Possible contenders include former prime minister Tony Blair of Britain and
current prime minister Jean-Claude Junker of Luxembourg.
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