We're out of time to conclude global action plan in Copenhagen: Obama

London, Nov. 16 (ANI): US President Barack Obama has recognized that it would be impossible to reach a fully internationally legally binding climate agreement in Copenhagen next month as very little time is left for that.

After a unscheduled meeting with Denmark's Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and Chinese President Hu Jintao in Singapore, Obama acknowledged that next month's meeting should have a realistic aim of making it a first-stage series of commitments rather than an all-encompassing protocol.

"There was a realistic assessment by the leaders that it was unrealistic to expect a full internationally legally binding agreement to be negotiated between now and when Copenhagen starts in 22 days," The Guardian quoted Michael Froman, US deputy national security adviser for economic affairs, as saying.

There will now be intense discussions on whether the political agreement at Copenhagen contains any detailed meaningful commitments.

Rasmussen, the host and chairman of the climate talks, insisted that the Copenhagen talks could still set political targets and outline commitments.

"Given the time factor and the situation of individual countries we must, in the coming weeks, focus on what is possible and not let ourselves be distracted by what is not. The Copenhagen agreement should finally mandate continued legal negotiations and set a deadline for their conclusion," Rasmussen said.

Obama spoke in support of the proposal, cautioning the group not to let the "perfect be the enemy of the good", Froman said. (ANI)