Brussels, 23/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Development Days hosted in Stockholm until 24 October (EUROPE 9998) have focused on climate change and on the need for solidarity between wealthy and poor countries to help the latter adjust to and combat a scourge that is already having an effect. Fredrik Reinfeldt, Sweden's Prime Minister and President of the European Council, has expressed concern about the little progress being made in international climate talks just six weeks from the United Nations conference (COP-15, Copenhagen, 7-18 December). He seized this opportunity to call on all countries of the world to act to ensure the conference in Copenhagen will be a success.
“Poverty is linked to climate change - the most vulnerable people will be the hardest hit. This has been called our greatest challenge and it is our responsibility to meet it with determination. Countries must put narrow national interests aside and not fall into cynical calculations of how to avoid lowering one's own emissions. The challenges are too serious and great to be bargained with”, said Mr Reinfeldt. The president of the European Council considers, on the other hand, that such challenges “will require speed and scale” of action. He added: “Our response must match the magnitude of change. We must build the resilience of the poorest and the ecosystems on which they depend”. (A.N./transl.jl)