Barroso: World is watching us

The German and French leaders are today trying to drum up support for their plan to resolve the eurozone debt crisis.

Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Nicolas Sarkozy and many other leaders including the Taoiseach Enda Kenny are attending a meeting of the European People's Party in France.

The German-Franco plan includes calls for common corporation and financial transaction tax rates across Europe.

Later today all 27 EU leaders will gather in Brussels for the start of a crucial two-day summit to address the debt problems.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, speaking at the EPP meeting, said everything must be done to save the euro from collapse.

Mr Barroso said: "The summit is indeed a crucial one. What I expect from all the heads of government is that they don't come saying what they cannot do, but what they will do for Europe.

"All the world is watching us and what the world wants from us is not more national problems, but European solutions."