Brussels - The head of the European Union executive, Jose Manuel Barroso, was to make a rare appearance at Monday's meeting of eurogroup finance ministers amid deep divisions on how to deal with the economic and financial crises.

The informal dinner-time talks in Brussels are regularly attended by the EU's economic and monetary affairs commissioner, Joaquin Almunia, and European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet.

Brussels  - European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso on Tuesday called on US president-elect Barack Obama and European leaders to deepen their transatlantic ties at a time of "great challenges".

Washington - EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso Saturday praised the outcome of the emergency world finance summit called to shore up the deteriorating world economy.

"I can really say that this was a historic summit," he told journalists after the gathering of the G20 leaders called by US President George W Bush had disbanded.

"I am very, very happy," he said.

Barroso added that no one had expected a "miracle solution."

Brussels - The head of the European Commission on Wednesday urged member states to work together to protect jobs and industry, rather than be tempted by "populist" and "protectionist" measures.

"The global financial crisis is not an excuse for protectionism: trade barriers shut out prosperity and open the gates instead to short-term economic populism," said Jose Manuel Barroso.

Barroso's warning came after the European Union executive approved guidelines on ways to mitigate the impact of the financial crisis on the European economy.

The guidelines will lay the basis for an EU-wide "comprehensive recovery plan", or stimulus package, due to be unveiled on November 26.

Brussels- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Tuesday called on all of the European Union's 27 leaders to endorse a wide-ranging financial rescue plan approved in Paris on Sunday by the 15 countries that share the euro.

"I am glad that there is now a consensus on the necessity and on the substance of a coherent effort," Barroso said. "I expect confirmation and strengthening of this coherent effort by the European Council."

EU leaders are due to meet in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday for a regular autumn summit whose content will largely be devoted to the credit crunch.

Brussels - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso on Wednesday said the European Union may resume talks on a cooperation agreement with Russia, even if Moscow maintains a military presence in Georgia's separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.