French President Francois Hollande has urged Europe to present a united front against populist movements which, he says, are being encouraged by political developments in the United States.
Hollande says that Europe is facing a moment of truth and must resist calls to deny climate change or bar access to refugees.
Hollande said today on the sidelines of an informal meeting with six other EU leaders in Lisbon, Portugal that European Union countries should stick to their principles and defend their interests.
He said the EU has to be firm in its talks with US President Donald Trump.
Seven southern European leaders are holding a summit to emphasize their commitment to the European Union, in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the bloc.
The informal half-day meeting in Lisbon today includes the leaders of France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Malta, as well as host Portugal.
Portuguese officials say the seven leaders will commit their countries to closer cooperation on border security and efforts to fight terrorism.
They will also consider ways of spurring economic growth and coordinating their economies, which all use the euro currency. EU growth is on the whole sluggish.
The countries have already signaled they are prepared to surrender more national sovereignty to EU institutions.
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