WASHINGTON — European Union leaders are looking for momentum on a global climate change deal out of a summit with President Barack Obama today.

The White House meeting comes just a month ahead of a global meeting on climate change as world leaders negotiate a follow-on agreement to the Kyoto Protocol.

Before the White House meeting, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that forging a climate deal is "a defining moment" for his generation of world leaders.

The EU will also be represented by the prime minister and foreign minister of Sweden at the meeting, which will begin with a lunch hosted by Vice President Joe Biden.

The two sides are also expected to talk about a range of issues including economic management, Afghanistan, Iran and Middle East peace.