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President Barack Obama, Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, left, and José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, right, deliver statements to the media following the EU Summit in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Nov. 28, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Today at the White House, President Obama met with a group of senior officials from the European Union.

The focus of their talks was the global economy — though they also touched on the political transformation in the Middle East, Iran's nuclear program, and steps necessary to ensure success in Afghanistan.

After the meetings, the President, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy, and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso spoke briefly to reporters. President Obama said:

As the world’s two largest economies and as each other’s most important trading partners, we spent a lot of time focusing on how we can continue to grow our economies and create good jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.A large part of that conversation obviously revolved around the eurozone crisis, and Presidents Van Rompuy and Barroso have been very actively engaged with the heads of government and heads of state in Europe to try to resolve this crisis.I communicated to them that the United States stands ready to do our part to help them resolve this issue.

Theleadersalso issued a joint statement, describing their shared commitment to create jobs and ensure financial stability.

Even as the EU Summit unfolded today in Washington, European leaders continue to meet to discuss a solution to the eurozone debt crisis. In his remarks to the press, the President spoke about the "huge importance" of reaching that resolution.

Via: White House.gov Blog Feed