The New Nation - Internet Edition

Agency, London

European leaders meeting in Brussels are set to endorse binding measures for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Slovenia's PM, who is chairing the summit, said the leaders had approved a timetable to implement an agreed 20% cut by 2020, compared with 1990 levels.

He likened the EU's plans to move to a low-carbon economy to a "third industrial revolution". The summit is also discussing financial instability, as well as liberalisation of the bloc's energy markets. Slovenian PM Janez Jansa said the leaders had taken note of a report by EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana warning of potential security concerns arising from global warming.

The report says climate change will have a growing impact on global security, multiplying existing threats such as shortages of food and water.

It warns that climate change could cause millions of people to migrate towards Europe as other parts of the world suffer environmental degradation.

EU's 20/20/20 vision: key aims and potential challenges AIM: 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 AIM: Reduction in energy imports, saving money and increasing energy security AIM: World leadership in renewable energy technology CHALLENGE: Government and companies may try to weaken their emissions targets CHALLENGE: Some countries likely to find renewables targets too ambitious CHALLENGE: Wrangles likely over technicalities of emissions trading Mr Solana's report "enjoyed a lot of support", Mr Jansa told reporters.

The EU leaders are considering specific targets put forward by the European Commission in January on how to achieve the agreed 20% cut in greenhouse emissions by 2020.