BALI, Indonesia, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- The compromise of the European Union and the United States over 25-40 emissions goals for rich countries by 2020 has brought a glimpse of hope for securing a Bali Roadmap before the U.N. climate change conference in Indonesia's resort island of Bali concludes.

    The two-week meeting, starting on Dec. 3 and was scheduled to end on Friday, runs into Saturday as marathon talks, discussions and bargains are still going on among climate negotiators to the meeting.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (4th-L) attends the opening of the high-level segment of the UN Climate Change Conference in Nusa Dua, Bali island Dec. 12, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    In a last-ditch efforts for securing a Bali Roadmap and trying to break the deadlock between the EU and the U.S., Indonesian Environment Minister Rachmat Witoelar, also the conference president, suggested dropping the EU-backed ambition for rich nations to cut emissions goals by between 25 and 40 percent by 2020 in a bid to overcome Washington's opposition.

    The Indonesian proposal gave both the EU and the U.S. room to work out the long-expected compromise, producing a relatively vague mandate for two years of negotiations.

    "The progress of the meeting is slower than I expected," U.N. climate chief Yvo de Boer told reporters at a press briefing.

Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) Yvo de Boer attends a news conference in Nusa Dua on Bali island Dec. 14, 2007. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

    But he was optimistic about the Bali talks. "We're on the brink of an agreement. We're absolutely not deadlocked."

    "It's better to leave here with a clear decision," he said. "Everyone here is trying to make a deal, including the United States."

    After the EU toned down a clash with Washington over the 2020 emissions goals for rich countries, "The United States is making a great deal of flexibility," he said.

    It is reported that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Kee-moon, who left Bali for Timor-Leste on Friday, will make an unscheduled return to the conference.

    The deadlock between the EU and the U.S. came under spotlight Thursday as the EU threatens to boycott a U.S.-led climate talks in Hawaii in January.

    "No result in Bali means no Major Economies Meeting," said Sigmar Gabriel, top EU environment official from Germany. "This is the clear position of the EU. I do not know what we should talk about if there is no target."

    Echoing the German Environment Minister, France Thursday also said it would "hesitate" to take part in the U.S.-led climate meeting and called on the United States to agree to figures on cutting carbon emissions.

Environmental activists and supporters shout slogans during a demonstration at the venue of the UN Climate Change Conference 2007 in Nusa Dua on Bali island. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)