EU - presidency
Van Rompuy becomes first president of Europe
Article published on the 2009-11-20 Latest update 2009-11-20 07:25 TU
New European Union president Herman Van Rompuy and his foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton
(Photo: Reuters)
The appointments, which were made during a meeting of all 27 EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday, have been given a warm welcome among the EU leadership and in Washington where US President Barack Obama said that it would make Europe an "even stronger partner" for the United States.
Swedish Prime Minister Frederik Reinfeldt, whose country holds the long-established rotating EU presidency, spoke of a unanimous choice who would seek consensus.
"The idea is to have a leader of the (EU) council... who actually gives room for everyone, who listens to everyone, who creates winners not losers," he said.
"We have achieved that."
French President Nicolas Sarkozy welcomed the choice as a "wise decision" while German Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared even more pleased with the choice of Van Rompuy.
"We got a candidate who brings consensus and whose political competence have long been tested and tried throughout his political career," she said.
The White House also sought to allay fears that US-EU relations will become less important as China rises and perceptions linger of Europe as a divided continent.
"The United States has no stronger partner than Europe in advancing security and prosperity around the world," the White House said.
In a separate statement, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the appointments as "a milestone for Europe and for its role in the world".
"I look forward to working closely with them to strengthen and broaden our partnership - from achieving stability in Afghanistan to securing Iranian compliance with its non-proliferation obligations and promoting a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, among many other shared objectives," she said.
"With the appointment of these distinguished leaders, I am more confident than ever that together we can build a more peaceful and prosperous world."
Van Rompuy, who came through as a concensus candidate once Britain agreed to back down from its push to have former prime minister Tony Blair parachuted into the job, said he regretted giving up the Belgian premiership, but accepted the challenge of managing member states frequently at odds over competing national agendas.
"Even if it is particularly difficult to abandon the leadership of my country, I accept your decision and I thank you for the honour you have given me," said Van Rompuy.
He said he would be a president "with conviction".
Ashton’s appointment appears to have come through as a consolation prize to the British in exchange for withdrawing his push for Blair to take the top job.
Ashton only became the EU trade commissioner in 2008 but has swiftly earned a reputation as an effective negotiator.
"Judge me on what I do and I think you will be pleased and proud of me," she said.
The two new posts were created by the Lisbon Treaty, which will come into force on 1 December.
