Belgian Prime Minister to Become First EU President
European Union leaders have named two relatively unknowns to be the first permanent EU president and foreign minister. Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy will be the new president and EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton was appointed foreign policy chief. Both names were approved by consensus Thursday at a summit in Brussels. Diplomats say both are compromise candidates with little foreign policy experience. Britain had been insisting on a famous name - specifically former British Prime Minster Tony Blair - to be president. Other members wanted someone who they say would be less divisive as the EU looks for a...
Original Article: Forum: News/Activism
Tags: Ashton, Belgian Prime Minister, British Prime Minster, Brussels, Compromise, Consensus, Diplomats, European Union, European Union Leaders, Foreign Minister, Foreign Policy, Herman Van Rompuy, Members, New President, Policy Chief, Policy Experience, Summit, Tony Blair, Trade Commissioner