Brussels, 15/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Brussels before the European Council, European Liberals sent a firm warning to member states and interest groups who might be tempted to use the economic slowdown to put the brake on European attempts to combat climate change. “It is crucial to keep the level of ambition” of the energy-climate package and reach a decision “before the end of this year,” said Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen. He stressed the need to reduce the EU's energy dependence. By investing in research, Finland had come out of the financial crisis at the start of the 1990s stronger, former Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen pointed out. “It is time to show that we are at the forefront” on climate and energy issues, he said.
The European Liberal leaders also gave their backing to the guidelines that came out of the recent summit of members of the euro area, which seek to take immediate action at national level on the financial crisis. “All the Liberal prime ministers support the plan,” said Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeke, leader of the European Liberal Party. The leader of the ALDE group in the European Parliament, UK MEP Graham Watson said, however, that national initiatives must not run counter to the free movement of persons and capital contained in the European Treaty. (M.B./transl.rt)