Brussels, 15/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown assured the European Commission of his “full support” for the EU's ambitious targets in combating climate change (the “three 20%s” by 2020: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy) and the swift adoption of the energy-climate package. Speaking to press after a meeting with Commission President José Manuel Barroso, a few hours before the start of the European Council (see related article), Brown said that this was “not the time to abandon our climate change agenda”, despite the serious financial crisis which could seriously affect the real economy and the competitiveness of European industry. The arguments that pushed the EU, in March 2007, to take the lead in this area “are still valid”, and this includes the need to strengthen the EU's energy security and reduce its dependence on oil and gas imported from third countries, he said. Combating climate change “is even part of the solution” to current economic ills which the EU has to find, he opined. The British prime minister also called for a new international system for regulating the financial markets, based on transparency and cooperation. It should have an early warning system and have the authority to carry out overall supervision. (H.B./transl.rt)