Commenting on the outcome of the EU's Spring Summit, European Parliament Liberal Democrat Group Leader Graham Watson said:

"Scientists tell us we need a 30 % emissions cut by 2020 to avert serious climate change.  EU leaders have agreed to match this only if third countries make similar promises."

"However they have at least taken a lead by setting a binding target of 20% on emissions and renewable energies by 2020."

The real test now is whether member states can translate these commitments into concrete actions over the coming months   

Graham Watson

"The real test now is whether member states can translate these commitments into concrete actions over the coming months. There remain a number of big question marks for instance on how the burden-sharing of commitments will be distributed and enforced as well as the position of nuclear energy."

On the Berlin Declaration and the future of the Constitution Mr. Watson added:

"If we are now committed to cutting CO2 emissions, cutting energy consumption and cutting unemployment, we certainly cannot do without the European dimension. The starting point for the Berlin Declaration must be to promote the EU and its future role, not to apologise for it."