Merkel: no turning back from historic Paris climate pact

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged her country's continued commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement on Friday, in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal, saying the withdrawal was regrettable. Photo grabbed from Reuters video file.
Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged her country’s continued commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement on Friday. (from Reuters video file)

BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) – Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged her country’s continued commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement on Friday, in the wake of United States President Donald Trump’s withdrawal.

“The decision of the U.S. President to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement is very regrettable, and I’m expressing myself in a very reserved way when I say that,” she said.

Merkel called for Europe to work closer together, saying Trump’s decision would not stop them but in fact make them more resolved.

“The decision can and will not stop all of us dedicated to the protection of our planet earth. Quite the opposite. We in Germany, in Europe and in the world are now more determined than ever to pool all our strength to face one of the challenges of humankind,” she said, to applause from lawmakers.