Nick Clegg attends ELDR meeting

European Liberal Democrats from all over Europe gathered for the bi-annual ELDR Leaders and Ministers meeting, on Thursday 11th December 2008, which saw the participants reach a common position on the EU's ambitious climate change and energy 'package' of legislation on the eve of a two-day EU summit. Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the European Parliament, stated: "If member states cannot agree on effective emissions trading targets, they must agree on a method for carbon capture and storage."

On the Lisbon Treaty, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Danish Prime Minister, said: "We must do our utmost to facilitate the ratification of the Treaty before the end of the present Commission. If Ireland can secure ratification of the Treaty, I am prepared to accept one commissioner per country."

Referring to the rising anti-European movements, Watson said: "The European elections will be challenging, but they are challenges we can meet. The main aim is to stop the spread of anti-European messages and we must work to counter this."

Nick Clegg also attended the Liberal summit saying, "We are strongly pro Europe and are for a strong and united Europe and collective action."

Commenting on the financial crisis, Clegg highlighted that it is "an acid test for the EU to provide stability and security at a time of recession and rising unemployment."

See -

http://www.eldr.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1398

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