Barroso: Financial crisis no excuse for ignoring climate change

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-25 20:11

BEIJING -- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said here on Saturday that the financial crisis must not become an excuse for not properly dealing with the climate change.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso speaks at the opening ceremony of the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing October 24, 2008. [Agencies]

If countries do not take effective actions to tackle the climate change, there would be larger threats, Barroso told a press conference of the seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) on Saturday.

He said a comprehensive global agreement would be made on the basis of the Bali Road Map, and through the Poznan meeting in December and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP15) in Copenhagen in 2009.

The agreement would be in accordance with the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities, Barroso told the press conference.

The press conference was attended by leaders of this ASEM's four coordinators, namely Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, French President Nicholas Sarkozy, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Brunei Sultan Hassanasl Bolkiah.

He added that the discussion was very beneficial, and on the basis of our discussion, it's possible they could reach an agreement.

Barroso said all countries should unite and cooperate against the global financial crisis, and they must not ignore other global challenges such as the climate change.

The seventh ASEM summit opened Friday afternoon with the attendance of the leaders and representatives from 45 Asian and European nations and organizations.

The participants' attention was drawn to topics of energy, climate change, food security and sustainable development as well as coping with the current financial crisis.