Tusk-Merkel reach an understanding on climate deal

Prime Minister Donald Tusk and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on Tuesday to hold bilateral talks focusing on the EU climate package and the financial crisis ahead of the summit this week.

"The German side understand's Poland's point of view," Tusk said during a press conference after his meeting with Chancellor Merkel, regarding the main topic of discussions, the EU climate package. "We can expect compromise regarding the climate package at the next EU summit," Merkel told journalists.

Heavily dependent on coal, Poland and other EU member states have been opposed to the original proposal to begin full auctioning of CO2 permits in 2013, with Poland arguing that energy prices would skyrocket. Germany has also expressed its reservations over the plan.

When asked if Poland or Germany would veto the package, Merkel said, "The possibility of such a veto is now smaller. I can say that things could be worse." (AO)

Source: TVN24