EU climate deal unlikely without breakthrough on budget, envoy says
BRUSSELS, Dec 7 (Reuters) - European Union leaders are unlikely to strike a deal on a new emissions-cutting target for 2030 at a summit this week if they cannot also clinch an agreement on the bloc's next budget, a senior EU diplomat said on Monday.
Leaders will discuss a more ambitious 2030 climate target when they meet in Brussels on Thursday - but hopes of agreeing the goal have become mired in a dispute over the EU's budget for 2021-2027 - known as the MFF - which Poland and Hungary are threatening to veto over upholding democratic standards.
"It will not be possible ... (it is) difficult to see that it's going to happen if there is no agreement on MFF," the senior diplomat said. If leaders resolve the budget spat, then there is a "fair chance" they will reach a deal on the climate target, the diplomat said. (Reporting by Kate Abnett, editing by Robin Emmott)
