The European Union remains firm in its stance that the UN talks in Bali should establish strict guidelines for wealthy nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, despite opposition from the United States. European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas emphasized the importance of including a reference to emissions reduction targets for developed countries by 2020. However, the EU's previous demand for cuts of 25 to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 was not reiterated. A compromise draft text was proposed at the Dec. 3-14 meeting, which aims to kickstart negotiations for a global agreement to combat climate change. This draft text abandoned the goal of stringent 2020 emissions cuts for rich countries, but maintained a target of halving worldwide emissions by 2050.