Bush, Schroeder Say Cooperation Possible on the Environment

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President George W. Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said they discussed ways Wednesday to protect the Earth's climate, stressing that differences over an accord to combat global warming should not prevent cooperation.

MAINZ, Germany — U.S. President George W. Bush and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said they discussed ways Wednesday to protect the Earth's climate, stressing that differences over an accord to combat global warming should not prevent cooperation.


Both countries have a "great opportunity" to share research and technology and also make it available to developing countries like China and India, Bush said at a news conference with Schroeder after they met in Mainz.


Unlike the United States, Germany and other European countries have joined the Kyoto protocol, which pledges industrial countries to reduce emissions of gases most scientists believe to be causing global warming.


Bush and Schroeder both alluded to vehement trans-Atlantic disagreements over the pact.


"But I would like to emphasize that, despite that, we would like to see practical cooperation with the reduction of problems in this area," Schroeder said.


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"And we think that there could be room for maneuver, particularly in the field of technology, where the United States of America and Germany both have tremendous know-how, and we would like to deepen cooperation in this field," he said.


German officials issued what they described as a joint U.S.-German statement in which both countries pledged to redouble efforts "to improve energy security and reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, while supporting strong economic growth."


The five-point plan also calls for increased international cooperation in climate research, modernizing energy sources, and promoting cheap and renewable sources of energy in poorer countries.


Germany and the United States pledged "joint action to raise the efficiency of the energy sector and address air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in our own countries and around the world," the document said.


Source: Associated Press