(LONDON) - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso hailed Thursday Barack Obama's "historic" victory after he secured enough votes to become the US Democratic Party's presidential nominee.

Barroso also voiced concern that Obama and defeated Democratic contender Hillary Clinton had both spoken out against free trade.

Speaking at a press conference with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Barroso said: "It certainly is a historic moment to have for the first time an Afro-American be nominated by one of the two biggest parties in the United States.

"I think it has a great meaning and from that point of view, we all welcome that because it represents something that is very important for all of us that are committed to non-discrimination principles."

But Barroso added: "I'm not so happy with some of the statements made so far by the Democratic candidates on trade.

"I think we have to discuss this... with our American friends because we need the United States of America to be the frontline for open economies in the world."

Both Obama and Clinton have said during their campaigns that they would renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico if they were elected president in November.

Labour unions have frequently charged that the pact has helped bleed the United States of manufacturing jobs.

Representatives from the European Union and US are due to meet next week for a summit in Slovenia.

The EU chief said he was "very happy" at comments made by Obama and Republican candidate John McCain on climate change.

There was now a "real opportunity" for global agreement if the US was on board, he said, adding that some other countries had previously resisted signing up because of the US stance.

Brown added that he had been "most impressed" by Obama, Clinton and McCain's interest in green issues, of which he said: "I think we can make very big progress in the next period of time."

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