EU, U.S. unable to make breakthrough on climate change

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www.chinaview.cn 2008-06-11 00:31:26

BRDO, Slovenia, June 10 (Xinhua) --

Differences across the Atlantic remain on climate change after an EU-U.S. 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," U.S. 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 Jan. 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.

The new proposal will be presented soon to Iran by EU foreign and security policy chief Javier Solana.

He said Iran must verifiably suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can produce materials for both nuclear energy and nuclear weapons.

Bush said Iran "can't be trusted with enrichment" as it had ignored the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The United States and the EU claim that Iran intends to produce nuclear weapons while Tehran insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. The UN Security Council has passed several resolutions, imposing sanctions on Iran.

In a declaration for the EU-U.S. summit, leaders urged Iran to suspend uranium enrichment and cooperate in the fight against terrorism.

"We expect Iran to comply with its international obligations concerning its nuclear activities, including the full and verifiable suspension of enrichment and full cooperation with the IAEA," reads the document.

The leaders said a "mutually satisfactory, negotiated solution" remains open to Iran, adding that they are ready to supplement current sanctions with "additional measures."

The EU and U.S. leaders also expressed concern over Tehran's alleged support for terrorism.

They also made commitments to peace and stability in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"We share a long-term commitment toward the stabilization and development of Afghanistan," reads the declaration of the summit.

They promised to enhance cooperation on assisting Afghanistan, including expanding the size and scope of help on justice and police reform and on counter-narcotics efforts.

They also promised to bring Iraq into the World Trade Organization at an early date.

Editor: Mu Xuequan