German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Danish Prime Minster Lars Rasmussen, president of the Copenhagen « climate » conference (7-18 December), reconfirmed, on the sidelines of the special European Council of 19 November, the EU’s wish to see the climate conference reach an “ambitious” agreement that “comprises binding rules and commitments”. Expressing their deep concerns about the chances of reaching an agreement, Merkel and Sarkozy were keen to express their support, as well as that of the whole of the Council, to the Danish prime minister.

“The EU has already done a lot and we will respect our commitments. We are facing a serious crisis and have proved that we can cooperate within the G20 framework,” said Merkel, adding that “Copenhagen must be a success; we will get there”. “As of the first half of next year, we must have a binding agreement and be able to check that the (emission reduction) targets are really achieved. Political commitments must be taken as of Copenhagen,” she stressed.

“The EU has done a lot and is ready to do more but it must happen in all countries,” Sarkozy said, adding that “we must and we can reach a successful outcome in Copenhagen”. He specified that all EU heads of state and government will take part in the high-level session in Copenhagen on 17 and 18 December.

Rasmussen emphasised that the agreement must be “binding. That involves emission reduction targets for all industrialised countries and being extremely clear on all financing issues”, he said.