She spoke² after negotiations³ on the 2014-2020 budget were adjourned⁴（休会） until midday on Friday (11:00 GMT).

 

The opening of the summit was delayed for three hours because of stark⁵ differences over the budget plans.

 

Most EU members support an increase in the budget but several countries say it is unacceptable at a time of austerity.

 

Earlier, President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy circulated a revised proposal for the new budget and said he believed that a compromise was possible.

 

"I think we're advancing a bit, but I doubt that we will reach a deal," Mrs Merkel said.

 

She has previously⁶ said that another summit may be necessary early next year if no deal can be reached now.

 

French President Francois Hollande also cautioned that an agreement might not be possible.

 

But he added: "We should not consider that if we don't get there tomorrow or the day after, all would be lost."

 

The 90-minute session late on Thursday followed a gruelling（折磨人的） day of face-to-face meetings between Mr Van Rompuy and each of the bloc's leaders, followed by a flurry of backroom discussions.

 

Before suspending talks, leaders nominated Luxembourg's Yves Mersch to the executive board of the European Central Bank.

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