European Commission president Jose Barroso said this evening he is looking for European Union leadership in combating climate change.
Mr Barroso spoke to reporters in Brussels as he arrived for an EU summit. On her arrival, German Chancellor Angela Merkel repeated her call to the US to make a commitment on climate change
Earlier today Slovakia's prime minister Robert Fico said he is not looking for the same opt-out on a human rights charter that the Czech Republic is demanding.
The EU summit today is aiming to address global climate change policies and resolve the Czech president's misgivings over the Lisbon treaty.
Czech president Vaclav Klaus remains the only EU leader who has yet to sign the treaty and he is seeking an opt-out from the treaty's Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Swedish prime minister Frederik Reinfeldt said there were "still obstacles" within the Czech Republic to final approval of the Lisbon Treaty, which is aimed at streamlining the European Union's decision-making ability.
He said the final approval is awaiting a Czech court ruling, as he spoke to reporters ahead of the summit in Brussels.
EU leaders are also expected to discuss who should become the first full-time president of the 27-member bloc of about 500 million people.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair and Luxembourg premier Jean-Claude Juncker have mentioned as among the leading candidates for the job.
Former taoiseach John Bruton has also thrown his hat into the ring for the post and has written to the ambassadors of all 27 EU countries to the United States to announce his interest.
Mr Bruton is finishing his five-year term as EU ambassador to Washington. Taoiseach Brian Cowen will attend the summit. The two-day summit begins at 5pm.