BERLIN - Representatives from 35 countries are meeting in Germany to discuss how to overcome disputes over reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The informal two-day gathering in Berlin starting Sunday is designed to lay the groundwork for an international climate conference in Durban, South Africa, in November.

German Environment Minister Norbert Roettgen says the meeting's purpose is defining "a demanding but also realistic framework for the world climate conference in Durban."

Chancellor Angela Merkel said Saturday the conference in South Africa must become a success leading to "more efforts, targeted measures and binding agreements" as the Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012. The 1997 treaty bound nearly 40 countries to specific emission reductions targets.