EU leaders split over costs of climate deal

European leaders met Thursday to craft a plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions but found themselves divided over how to split the cost of new policies.

The 28 member states of the European Union want to lead the way for other countries heading into the Paris talks next year, Reuters reports.

{mosads}But arguments over how to help poorer eastern countries may push the negotiations late into Friday night, diplomats said, according to the news service.

“If there isn’t an agreement in Brussels among the countries that are furthest ahead on this issue, how are we going to convince the Chinese or the Americans or the poorer countries?” French President François Hollande said after he arrived in Brussels on Thursday for the two-day talks.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed caution over whether the European Union would be able to hammer out an agreement during the meetings.

“I cannot say whether there will be an agreement today,” she said. “I don’t think the talks will be easy, as we also need to look at our international competitiveness.”