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East-west climate row at EU talks East-west climate row at EU talks
(about 1 hour later)
EU leaders have begun a summit in Brussels deeply divided over how much money to offer developing nations to cope with climate change.EU leaders have begun a summit in Brussels deeply divided over how much money to offer developing nations to cope with climate change.
Polish Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski told the BBC Eastern European nations were prepared to block a deal unless richer countries paid their fair share.Polish Finance Minister Jacek Rostowski told the BBC Eastern European nations were prepared to block a deal unless richer countries paid their fair share.
Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt, who is chairing the two-day meeting, said the EU's credibility was at stake.Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt, who is chairing the two-day meeting, said the EU's credibility was at stake.
EU leaders will also discuss how to get Czech approval of the Lisbon Treaty. Leaders later agreed a deal designed to win Czech backing of the Lisbon Treaty.
The Czechs were granted an opt-out from the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights, similar to the one already granted to the UK and Poland.
The deal should secure the signature of Czech President Vaclav Klaus - the final hurdle which lies in the path of the treaty's ratification by all member states.
The treaty is designed to streamline the way the bloc operates, but its path to ratification has been lengthy and controversial.
Internal riftInternal rift
The EU is keen to reach a united position on climate change ahead of December's United Nations Copenhagen summit, which aims to hammer out a new global climate treaty to replace the UN Kyoto Protocol. On climate change, the EU is keen to reach a united position ahead of December's United Nations Copenhagen summit, which aims to hammer out a new global climate treaty to replace the UN Kyoto Protocol.
EU SUMMIT AGENDA Thursday pm: Climate changeThursday dinner: Lisbon TreatyFriday: Conclusions, including economy and illegal immigration Copenhagen countdown Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty Blair 'excellent' for EU job - PMEU SUMMIT AGENDA Thursday pm: Climate changeThursday dinner: Lisbon TreatyFriday: Conclusions, including economy and illegal immigration Copenhagen countdown Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty Blair 'excellent' for EU job - PM
Mr Reinfeldt called on EU leaders to agree a "fixed sum" that would open the way for other rich donors like the US and Japan to make similar aid pledges to help developing nations cope with the effects of climate change.Mr Reinfeldt called on EU leaders to agree a "fixed sum" that would open the way for other rich donors like the US and Japan to make similar aid pledges to help developing nations cope with the effects of climate change.
But just hours before the talks, Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said sharing the aid costs equally between all 27 EU nations was out of the question.But just hours before the talks, Hungarian Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said sharing the aid costs equally between all 27 EU nations was out of the question.
"The burden-sharing proposal is not acceptable in its current form," Mr Bajnai said."The burden-sharing proposal is not acceptable in its current form," Mr Bajnai said.
The Polish finance minister, Jacek Rostowski, told the BBC that nine Eastern European nations were ready to block a deal unless they were allowed to contribute according to their means, not to how much they pollute.The Polish finance minister, Jacek Rostowski, told the BBC that nine Eastern European nations were ready to block a deal unless they were allowed to contribute according to their means, not to how much they pollute.
Do the majority of leaders want someone who can get a hearing at the White House, or do they want someone who will build consensus within the European Union? Gavin Hewitt, BBC Europe editor Read Gavin's thoughts in full Watts blog: Penny hasn't dropped EU president: Names in the frameDo the majority of leaders want someone who can get a hearing at the White House, or do they want someone who will build consensus within the European Union? Gavin Hewitt, BBC Europe editor Read Gavin's thoughts in full Watts blog: Penny hasn't dropped EU president: Names in the frame
"There are countries there like Bulgaria and Latvia, which are considerably poorer than Brazil, and which would be expected to help Brazil in its adjustments to climate change," he said."There are countries there like Bulgaria and Latvia, which are considerably poorer than Brazil, and which would be expected to help Brazil in its adjustments to climate change," he said.
"We therefore expect the richer countries of Europe to pay a small part of what we consider to be their fair share," he added."We therefore expect the richer countries of Europe to pay a small part of what we consider to be their fair share," he added.
Much will depend on the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.Much will depend on the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, says the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels.
Our correspondent says that until now, the leader of Europe's biggest economy has refused to be pinned down on figures, but arriving at the summit she signalled some flexibility.Our correspondent says that until now, the leader of Europe's biggest economy has refused to be pinned down on figures, but arriving at the summit she signalled some flexibility.
"I want Copenhagen to be a success," Mrs Merkel said, "but it's crucial that the US and China should also be willing to contribute.""I want Copenhagen to be a success," Mrs Merkel said, "but it's crucial that the US and China should also be willing to contribute."
EU targetsEU targets
The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said he had received a letter from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asking the EU to continue to lead on climate change.The President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said he had received a letter from the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asking the EU to continue to lead on climate change.
The European Commission has recommended EU nations pay up to 15bn euros ($22bn; £13bn) a year from 2013 to developing nations to help them cope with climate change.The European Commission has recommended EU nations pay up to 15bn euros ($22bn; £13bn) a year from 2013 to developing nations to help them cope with climate change.
A British government official said the UK would contribute 1bn euros annually from 2013-2020 towards international financing to help poor countries adapt to climate change and mitigate its impact.A British government official said the UK would contribute 1bn euros annually from 2013-2020 towards international financing to help poor countries adapt to climate change and mitigate its impact.
The EU is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 and by up to 30% if other countries join in.The EU is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 and by up to 30% if other countries join in.
The two-day Brussels meeting must also try to seal an agreement for the ratification of the Lisbon reform treaty with the Czech Republic.
Czech President Vaclav Klaus is the only EU leader who has yet to sign the treaty, demanding an opt-out from the treaty's Charter of Fundamental Rights.
EU leaders are also expected to discuss who will fill the post of full-time president that the Lisbon Treaty would create.EU leaders are also expected to discuss who will fill the post of full-time president that the Lisbon Treaty would create.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Luxembourg Premier Jean-Claude Juncker have been touted as the leading candidates for the job.Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Luxembourg Premier Jean-Claude Juncker have been touted as the leading candidates for the job.
On Thursday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reiterated his support for Mr Blair, saying he would make an "excellent" first president of the European Union.On Thursday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown reiterated his support for Mr Blair, saying he would make an "excellent" first president of the European Union.