Van Rompuy named as EU President
19/11/2009 - 19:27:41Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy has been chosen as the first
permanent President of the European Union.
Diplomats in Brussels have told reporters that Mr Van Rompuy, who was the
front-runner, has been picked.
Britain's EU Trade Commissioner Baroness Cathy Ashton is to become Europe's Foreign Minister.
The choice of Mr van Rompuy signalled that the leaders were not eager to have a high-profile personality represent the EU abroad.
The two new posts are meant to bolster the EU’s influence overseas.
