Reuters: European Union leaders were set to reaffirm a December deadline for agreeing bold plans to fight climate change but vow to make them cost-effective in view of the financial crisis, a draft statement showed on Thursday. “The European Council confirms its determination to honor the ambitious commitments it has made on climate and energy policy,” said the draft circulated to leaders ahead of the final session of a two-day summit, and obtained by Reuters. “In this connection, it …