Germany, France agree on EU car emissions goal-Merkel

STRAUBING, Germany, June 9 (Reuters) - Germany and France support the European Commission's goal for emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from cars, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday.

Merkel said at a news conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy that they support the European Commission's goal of EU car emissions of 120 grams per km on average from 2012.

"We've reached an important breakthrough with car CO2 emissions," Merkel said.

"There were very, very large differences at the start due to the different product range. I'm happy to say that we support the Commission goal of 120 grams per km from 2012."

Berlin and Paris have been trying to reach a compromise on burden-sharing on carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions for months.

Germany has been concerned that planned EU rules which would cap emissions at 120 grammes per km on average from 2012, and introduce fines for non-compliance, will put its luxury automobile industry at a disadvantage.

(Reporting by Markus Wacket)