EU commission chief calls for closer EU economic cooperation

(STRASBOURG) - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso urged EU nations Tuesday to cooperate more tightly in the face of the economic crisis.

"We must recognise that the interdependence of our economies requires better and more coordination," he told members of the European parliament in Strasbourg.

"If we want to overcome the crisis, reinforce the social dimension and establish a good basis for a strong economic future for Europe in the globalised world; if we want to reinforce our industrial base and launch new common European projects: then stronger economic coordination is the only way forward," he said.

Barroso, whose new commission was to face a vote of investiture later Tuesday, said this greater cooperation would help give the 27-nation bloc a stronger voice on the international scene.

"Europe counts when we speak with a strong and united voice. When the European interest is clearly defined and vigorously defended. In trade for example, and competition policy," he said.

"It is less successful when we act according to narrow national interests, in an uncoordinated way. Or in areas where collectively the EU is not able to defend and promote its collective interest," he added.