Obama: US, Europe must push hard for climate deal

By DESMOND BUTLER
Associated Press Writer

Published: Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 3:41 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 3:41 p.m.

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says he and European leaders agree it is imperative that they redouble efforts to reach a climate deal in Copenhagen in December.

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President Barack Obama, second from right, listens as Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, second from left, speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009. European High Council High Representative Javier Solana is at left, and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is at right. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The president spoke Tuesday with European Union leaders at the White House on global warming, Afghanistan, Iran, economic recovery and other matters.

The White House meeting came just a month ahead of a global meeting on climate change in Copenhagen as world leaders negotiate a follow-on agreement to the Kyoto Protocol. Obama says the leaders agree that they must take steps before that meeting to ensure it will yield a substantial framework for progress.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso says he emerged from the talks more confident about climate progress.