Bigger is better

"Europe needs a more realistic dimension: that is to say a bigger one, because we are in the 21st century and the big challenge is globalization," he told Portuguese weekly Expresso.

"I think Europe is not big enough the way it is. Anyone who looks at China understands why," the former Portuguese Prime Minister added.

The statement comes amid growing skepticism in the EU about the wisdom of enlargement, after French and Dutch rejections of the EU draft constitution in May, as well as this month's protracted and acrimonious negotiations over the bloc's proposed 2007-2013 budget.

However, Barroso said that EU expansion must continue in order to beef up the Union's political and economic clout.

After Romanian and Bulgarian accession in 2007, the EU's population will grow to around 500 million. That compares to populations of around 1.3 billion in China and 1.1 billion in India.

Barrosso said last year's expansion had been a success. "[The new] countries brought a new energy, new ideas, and they have been loyal members of the Union," Barroso said.