Associated Press, Feb. 13, 2007

STRASBOURG, France - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday urged EU governments to follow Berlin’s example and accept the European Commission’s demands for a cut in carbon dioxide emissions.

“Germany is going to have to accept compromises which won’t be easy for us. Each member state must put in its own contribution. It would be an error if we pursued only our own interests, and we’re not going to make that error,” she told the European Parliament.

The EU executive office said last month Europe must embrace a low-carbon economy and cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 to limit global warming and prevent serious damage caused by climate change.

The Commission also proposed binding rules to force carmakers to cut carbon dioxide emissions from all new cars sold in the EU by 2012, arguing the tough measure was needed to fight global warming.

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