He is using the format, made famous by US presidents, to outline the 27-nation EU's priorities.

The high-profile speech to Euro MPs in Strasbourg is seen as part of a drive to explain the importance of the EU's role in restoring economic growth.

It is also a chance to review the impact of the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

Mr Barroso, in his second term as head of the EU's executive arm, said the recovery "is gathering pace, albeit unevenly within the union".

Before the speech, political group leaders in the European Parliament had considered imposing fines on MEPs who failed to attend Mr Barroso's speech.

But the assembly's president, Jerzy Buzek, said more time was needed to decide how to beef up attendance in parliamentary debates.