The European Union and Japan decided to work together for an international deal aimed at curbing global warming and called upon the United States, China, and Russia to "participate in a responsible manner" to fight climate change.
"We shall cooperate with the EU towards building an agreement on an ambitious, effective and comprehensive post-Kyoto framework,' Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso told reporters after meeting with EU leaders in Prague on Monday.
"Japan and the EU are aiming at building a low-carbon society," he added.
Ahead of a UN conference in Copenhagen at the year-end, the EU has pledged to cut its emissions by 20 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020.
Japan has not set its mid-term target yet, but it has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by up to 80 percent by 2050.
The two entities said in a joint statement that they recognized the importance of a UN agency's report recommending a 25-40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for industrialized countries by 2020.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.