Danish PM's speech on political deal for Copenhagen talks

Singapore (Reuters) - Denmark's prime minister proposed a deal to rescue stalled climate change negotiations in a speech to Asia Pacific leaders in Singapore on Sunday.

Following are excerpts from the remarks by Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who flew to Singapore on an unannounced visit ahead of the December 7-18 Copenhagen talks. Rasmussen spoke to 19 of the 21 leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

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"With the Copenhagen deadline fast approaching, the question on everybody's lips is: can we make it? My answer is yes. It is absolutely doable: If we focus on what we can agree, a strong, comprehensive and global Agreement is within reach.

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Given the time factor and the situation of individual countries we must ... focus on what is possible and not let ourselves be distracted by what is not possible. We must base ourselves firmly on the instruments and principles already agreed and we must lock in the commitment expressed by countries throughout the world.

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The Copenhagen Agreement should capture progress already achieved in the negotiations and at the same time provide for immediate action already from next year.

The Copenhagen Agreement should be political by nature, yet precise on specific commitments and binding on countries committing to reach certain targets and to undertake certain actions or provide agreed finance.

The Copenhagen Agreement should be global, comprehensive and substantial, yet flexible enough to accommodate countries with very different national circumstances.

The Copenhagen Agreement should finally mandate continued legal negotiations and set a deadline for their conclusion.

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We have set out this vision of "one Agreement - two purposes" and we will consult you on the way ahead in our efforts to build global consensus on the specific terms of the Agreement. In this regard, I would like to use this opportunity to address some questions that have been raised in relation to the proposed format of the Copenhagen Agreement.

Will it be ambitious? Yes it will indeed. The overall aim will be to conclude a binding agreement that will set the path to limit global warming to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius as recommended by science.

Will it divert from the agreed principles and instruments? No absolutely not. The agreement will build on already agreed legal instruments and principles...

Will it only be a partial agreement? No - we cannot do half a deal in Copenhagen and postpone the rest till later. The agreement will cover all the key issues and all parts of the Bali mandates. I do not share the view that it will be possible in Copenhagen to do some parts of the deal and not the other. We need the commitments. We need the figures. We need the action.

Will it be binding? Yes - it will be binding. Even if we may not hammer out the last dots of a legally binding instrument, I do believe a political binding agreement with specific commitment to mitigation and finance provides a strong basis for immediate action in the years to come.

Let me be specific on the format: I envisage a political text framing the agreement, say 5-8 pages. Not a political declaration with niceties, but precise language of a comprehensive political agreement covering all aspects of the Bali mandates: Commitment of developed countries to reductions and of developing countries to actions. Strong provisions on adaptation, finance and technology, including up front finance for early action.

Beneath that we will have underlying annexes outlining the specific commitments of individual countries. These will be negotiated and they will be subject to a transparent system of measurement, reporting and verification.

We are not aiming to let anyone off the hook...

Are we losing sight of a new legal treaty or doing away with the Kyoto Protocol? No... The Copenhagen Agreement will build on the principles of the Convention and on the experience of the Kyoto Protocol. On that basis, we shall mandate continued negotiations and we shall set a deadline for agreeing new legal terms.

Are we then pushing action forward into an uncertain future where we may never agree? No again. Our vision is that the Copenhagen Agreement provides for immediate action to commence even before a full new legal framework is agreed, signed, ratified and effective.

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It is my firm view that the vision I have outlined to you is not one among many possible ways ahead. It may well be the only one...

What matters at the end of the day is the ability of the Copenhagen Agreement to capture and reinforce global commitment to real actions.

Equity and realism must guide our efforts. We should not look for another international declaration of intent but strive for an agreement to commit.

(Editing by Jerry Norton)