The decision comes after France and Germany joined Poland and Italy in demanding that the vote be postponed until national leaders can have a say on the target, creating a blocking minority.<\/p>\n
A ministerial discussion will still be held on Thursday to prepare for a debate at leaders\u2019 level. A spokesperson for European Council President Ant\u00f3nio Costa said that leaders would hold a \u201cstrategic discussion\u201d at their Oct. 23 summit \u201con what the best economic strategy is to achieve Europe\u2019s climate targets.\u201d<\/p>\n
In total, 11 of 27 countries asked for a delay during a preparatory meeting on Friday, three diplomats said, listing the Czech Republic, Malta, Austria, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Latvia besides Italy, France, Germany and Poland.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has always been our ambition \u2026 to get agreement on an EU target for 2040 as quickly as possible. I have never hidden the fact that it is a difficult task that is politically complicated,\u201d Danish Climate Minister Lars Aagaard said after the meeting<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI can see that among a sufficient number of member states there is a desire for the heads of government to discuss the matter before those member states are ready to conclude negotiations on the 2040 climate target,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n