BRUSSELS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The following are comments by European Union leaders in connection with their two-day summit running until Friday, where they debated a 200 billion euro ($260 billion) EU-wide stimulus package and measures to tackle climate change.

FRENCH PRESIDENT NICOLAS SARKOZY

On powers of European Commission president:

We "need more powers for the president of the Commission."

On EU/China ties:

"There is a certain amount of tension, I regret that."

"You can't be dictated to on the way you should behave."

"I would say to be very calm and very serene in the face of all this. There is only one China."

EU COMMISSION PRESIDENT JOSE MANUEL BARROSO:

On transatlantic partnership:

"Let us now build a transatlantic recovery plan and transatlantic climate and energy partnership."

On message to U.S. President-elect Barack Obama:

"Our message to our global partners is: Yes, you can. Yes, you can do what we are doing ... especially to our American partners."

"We are asking him (Obama) to join Europe and with us lead the world (in climate)."

On economy:

"I believe this crisis is serious ... but Europe can emerge stronger."

On climate change deal:

"Yes, Europe has passed its credibility test. It means business."

On global climate talks:

"The Europeans will be able to take to the floor (in global climate talks) to say 'look, we did it, now is the time to do it'."

FRANCE'S SARKOZY

On EU climate deal:

"This is quite historic. You will not find another continent in this world that has given itself such binding rules as we have just adopted ... the objectives remain the same."

"Actually it turned out to be much easier than people said."

"Poland, like the others, will have the same obligations like the rest of Europe but we will allow them to use some of their free (quotas) ... specifically for electricity producers."

On EU budget rules, the Growth and Stability Pact:

"We need the pact. The pact must be fully applied once the crisis is behind us ... in an exceptional situation, you need exceptional measures in a crisis."

Lisbon Treaty:

"It's off to a new start, that's great news for all Europeans."

Reduced rate of value-added tax:

"The decision will be taken before the end of March."

Second Irish referendum on EU reform treaty:

"The Irish will be consulted again."

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