Brussels  - Turkey must make sure it protects the freedom of the press, the head of the European Union's executive told Turkish President Abdullah Gul on Thursday.

"Full respect of press freedom is an important value for us. It is important that there be full respect of this basic, fundamental right," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said as he welcomed Gul on the first-ever visit to the EU's headquarters by a Turkish head of state.

Brussels - Jose Manuel Barroso moved closer Friday to obtaining a second mandate as head of the European Union executive in Brussels after he received the key backing of French President Nicolas Sarkozy at a summit of EU leaders.

"I have always liked the way he works, and I have not changed my opinion ... I will not be ashamed to support him," French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.

Sarkozy had previously appeared less enthusiastic about backing Barroso, a conservative and former prime minister of Portugal.

Brussels - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday urged European Union governments to implement the bloc's fiscal stimulus plan, warning that calls to do more would undermine confidence in a swift recovery.

"Let's implement the plan and review it if necessary," Barroso said. "Saying (now) the plan is not enough will not build confidence."

Brussels  - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday described the shooting spree in a school in south-west Germany that has left at least 15 people dead as a "senseless" act of violence.

"We are appalled and saddened by the senseless violence that cut short so many lives and injured and traumatised many others," the head of the European Union's executive arm said in a statement.

Warsaw  - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will meet Monday with the Polish president for talks expected to concern the run-up to Poland's holding of European Parliament elections, local media reported.

Barroso will meet with Polish President Lech Kaczynski on the country's general political and economic situation before the elections, a European Commission spokesperson told Polish Radio.

Berlin  - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday spoke of concerns that Europe's markets could face further destabilzation.

He made his comments during a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"We are worried about a further destabilization of the financial markets and economies," Barroso said. He added that further measures were being considered, such as regulations for hedge funds, investment funds and management compensation packages.