EU divides on climate payments, finds deal for Czechs on Lisbon treaty
EU leaders are divided over how much cash to give to developing nations to cope with climate change. Polish finance minister Jacek Rostowski told the BBC Eastern European nations were ready to block the plan unless the rich nations paid a fair (i.e. more than equal) share. Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, chairing the two-day meeting, said the EU's credibility was at stake over the plan. The EU is eager to come up with a united position ahead of December's Copenhagen summit, which is supposed to craft a new global climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol. Meanwhile, however, the leaders sorted out a deal to win Czech support for the Lisbon Treaty. The Czechs gained an opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights, similar to one already granted to the UK and Poland. This should clinch the signature of Czech President Vaclav Klaus. Klaus’ signature is the final barrier in the path of the treaty's ratification by all member states. For more: BBC
Become an Insider