U.S. President Barack Obama says it is imperative that the United States and European Union redouble efforts to reach a deal on climate change ahead of next month's summit in Copenhagen.
 
The president spoke Tuesday at the White House, where he met with EU leaders. EU officials have been in Washington to push members of Congress to support a new global climate treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol.
 
Mr. Obama and congressional Democrats have pledged to support a new treaty. However, Senate Republicans Tuesday boycotted a committee debate on a bill to curb carbon gas emissions from large industrial plants, casting doubt on the ability of Congress to pass legislation in support of a new climate pact.

European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso, who earlier Tuesday said he was "worried" by the lack of progress, said he was more confident after meeting with Mr. Obama.