Klimaat en Afghanistan belangrijkste onderwerpen tijdens eerste ontmoeting voorafgaand aan EU-VS top (en)
On Monday Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt i met US President Barack Obama i at the White House. It was a meeting between Sweden and the USA ahead of the EU-USA summit that takes place today, Tuesday.
“Over half of the meeting was dedicated to the issue of climate change”, said Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt afterwards.
EU-USA Summit
Photo: Gunnar Seibold / Regeringskansliet
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EU-USA Summit
Photo: Gunnar Seibold / Regeringskansliet
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EU-USA Summit
Photo: Gunnar Seibold / Regeringskansliet
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EU-USA Summit
Photo: Gunnar Seibold / Regeringskansliet
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EU-USA Summit
Photo: Gunnar Seibold / Regeringskansliet
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“It is clear that Mr Obama has brought change to the USA and the beginnings of a policy for change when it comes to climate change”, said Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, continuing: "But only the EU is ready. This is like putting a man on the moon. There is a lot to be solved before we can get there and we don't yet know exactly how we are going to achieve it."
“The EU’s promises are also conditional: we commit ourselves to climate financing and emissions reductions, but we require commitments from others.”
Laying the groundwork
President Obama also commented on the issue of climate change after the meeting.
“We are approaching the Copenhagen negotiations. Both Sweden, the United States and the EU as a whole are interested in an outcome that can start moving us down the path of a sustainable economy that is not accelerating the potential catastrophe of climate change.”
President Obama expressed his hope of a climate agreement that, while it may not solve every problem on the issue, takes an important step forward and lays the groundwork for further progress.
Afghanistan
The other major issue that was discussed at the meeting was the situation in Afghanistan. President Obama said at the press conference that he had just congratulated Afghanistan’s President Karzai on his re-election.
“Although the election process was messy, I am pleased to say that the final outcome was determined in accordance with Afghan law. It is important first and foremost for the Afghan people that the results were in accordance with, and followed the rules laid down by, the Afghan constitution.”
He added that he had emphasised for Mr Karzai that the American people and the international community were prepared to work with him.
“But I also emphasised that a serious effort is required to eradicate corruption.”
“It is important to get a government in place so that the country can function and have improved conditions for development”, said Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.