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Berlin talks for Blair and Merkel Blair calls for post-Kyoto deal
(about 2 hours later)
Tony Blair has met German Chancellor Angela Merkel for talks on issues ranging from climate change to the Middle East peace process. The prime minister has said there is a "tremendous opportunity" for action on climate change, following a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Ms Merkel, whose country hosts the rotating EU and G8 presidencies, welcomed Mr Blair to Berlin on Tuesday. Tony Blair said G8 leaders had a chance to create a new framework, for when the Kyoto Protocol runs out in 2012.
After the talks, he said Britain and Germany were "very much on the same lines" on key issues. But he said the next few months were crucial if a deal was to be secured at the G8 meeting in Heiligendamm in June.
Both stressed the need for progress on the Middle East peace process, which Mr Blair said was at a "delicate moment". Ms Merkel, whose country is hosting the G8 presidency, said climate change was one of humanity's biggest challenges.
He also said there was a "tremendous opportunity" on climate change, through the G8. Speaking after the meeting in Berlin, Mr Blair said the next few months, which will be his last in office, were "absolutely crucial" for climate change and other priorities like the Middle East peace process.
"This is the right moment to look at how we protect our environment and grow sustainably, but also make sure we have got secure supplies of energy in the years go to come." 'Delicate moment'
Ms Merkel said Germany would look at developing new technologies to combat climate change, as well as reducing emissions, using renewable energy. He said Britain and Germany were "very much on the same lines" on key issues.
She said the environment was one of the "biggest challenges that stands before humanity". Both stressed the need for progress on the Middle East peace process, which Mr Blair said was at a "delicate moment", and on the environment.
This is the right moment to look at how we protect our environment and grow sustainably, but also make sure we have got secure supplies of energy in the years go to come Tony Blair
Mr Blair said there was widespread agreement on the threat posed by climate change, and demand from people across the world for their governments to do something about it.
"This is the right moment to look at how we protect our environment and grow sustainably, but also make sure we have got secure supplies of energy in the years go to come," he said.
But he said it was vital that any post-2012 process was supported by the US, China and India - as well as those who had signed up to Kyoto.
Renewables targets
Ms Merkel said details of a climate change deal would be worked out during a conference in May - to be put to the leaders of the G8 countries in the summer.
It would include a CO2 reduction goal, an international system of carbon pricing to boost the development of greener technology, and ways of giving emerging economies like China and India access to such developments.
This is one of the great challenges that mankind faces in our time and one of the great challenges that mankind can do most on if it acts together Angela Merkel
She also said the aim was for Europe to reduce greenhouse gases by 30% and increase the share of energy from renewable sources by 20%, by 2020.
"We think that the time has come to work with all our energy and ambition," she said.
"We think this is one of the great challenges that mankind faces in our time and one of the great challenges that mankind can do most on if it acts together and in concert."
Mr Blair, who has said he will resign as prime minister by September, was asked how much he could hope to achieve when he had only a few months left to serve.Mr Blair, who has said he will resign as prime minister by September, was asked how much he could hope to achieve when he had only a few months left to serve.
He replied: "As much as I can".He replied: "As much as I can".