BRUSSELS, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso expressed in a statement issued on Wednesday the willingness of the EU to help Iceland weather the financial crisis.

    "Iceland is one of the EU's closest partners and has its natural place in Europe. It participates fully in the EU's internal market through the European Economic Area, and its citizens enjoy freedom of movement in the Schengen area," he said.

    "The country has been particularly badly hit in the current international financial crisis," he added. "This has caused severe problems for people and businesses in Iceland, as well as in a number of member states."

    Barroso urged EU member states concerned to address these problems bilaterally with Iceland in line with the respective obligations under the EEA Agreement.

    "The commission stands ready to help Iceland and facilitate co-operation wherever possible," he said, voicing his confidence that "the Icelanders will overcome the challenges of this crisis."

    Barroso said he talked with Iceland's Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde on Tuesday.