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US welcomes Van Rompuy's EU role Top EU posts bring mixed response
(about 2 hours later)
The US has welcomed the appointment of the first permanent EU president and foreign representative. The appointment of two little-known figures to the new top jobs in the EU has drawn a mixed response.
Belgian PM Herman van Rompuy was named President of the European Council, while Briton Baroness Catherine Ashton was made EU foreign affairs supremo.Belgian PM Herman van Rompuy was named President of the European Council, while Briton Baroness Catherine Ashton was made EU foreign affairs supremo.
The US said the appointments would strengthen the EU and Europe's relationship with Washington. The US welcomed the choice, saying it would make Europe a stronger partner.
But some in Brussels have criticised the appointments, saying the pair have too low an international profile. However, the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Brussels says there has been some dismay at the choice of two candidates with a low international profile.
British newspapers said the choices would not help the EU to achieve a greater global impact and questioned whether Baroness Ashton would carry much weight in her role. The post of president has become a much less important one than originally envisaged, he adds.
Meanwhile, pro-EU politicians in Turkey have expressed concern the appointments could damage their country's hopes of eventually gaining EU membership. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr Van Rompuy would bring consensus and political competence to the presidency.
Mr Van Rompuy and Baroness Ashton were chosen unanimously for the positions by the 27 leaders at a summit in Brussels. However, Turkish member of parliament Onur Oymen said he was concerned about what Mr Van Rompuy's presidency could mean for Turkey's aspirations to join the EU.
He told the BBC's World Today that Mr Van Rompuy had "said a few years ago he was totally against Turkish membership because of religious and cultural reasons".
Herman van Rompuy: Every country should emerge victorious from negotiationsHerman van Rompuy: Every country should emerge victorious from negotiations
"We are not very optimistic about the future of our relations during his presidency," Mr Oymen said.
British newspapers said the choices would not help the EU to achieve a greater global impact and questioned whether Baroness Ashton would carry much weight in her role.
Mr Van Rompuy and Baroness Ashton were chosen unanimously by the 27 EU leaders at a summit in Brussels.
Both have been seen as consensual politicians with limited foreign policy experience.Both have been seen as consensual politicians with limited foreign policy experience.
In a statement, US President Barack Obama said the appointments would "strengthen the EU and enable it to be an even stronger partner to the United States". US President Barack Obama said the appointments would "strengthen the EU and enable it to be an even stronger partner to the United States".
He said the US had "no stronger partner than Europe in advancing security and prosperity around the world".He said the US had "no stronger partner than Europe in advancing security and prosperity around the world".
'Milestone for Europe'
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the appointments were a "milestone for Europe and for its role in the world".US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the appointments were a "milestone for Europe and for its role in the world".
"With the appointment of these distinguished leaders, I am more confident than ever that together we can build a more peaceful and prosperous world," she said. She said she was looking forward to working closely with Mr Van Rompuy and Baroness Ashton on issues of mutual concern, including the Iranian nuclear debate, achieving stability in Afghanistan and promoting a peace agreement in the Middle East.
Mrs Clinton said she was looking forward to working closely with Mr Van Rompuy and Baroness Ashton on issues of mutual concern, including the Iranian nuclear debate, achieving stability in Afghanistan and promoting a peace agreement in the Middle East.
The President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, also praised the appointments, saying it would be "impossible to find a better choice than those personalities for the European Union leadership".The President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, also praised the appointments, saying it would be "impossible to find a better choice than those personalities for the European Union leadership".
'Wise decision' Mrs Merkel said of Mr Van Rompuy: "We got a candidate who brings consensus and whose political competence have long been tested and tried throughout his political career."
The BBC's Jonny Dymond in Brussels says questions, criticism and some dismay swiftly followed the announcements on Thursday evening.
THE PRESIDENT'S ROLE Chosen by 27 member states by qualified majority voteTwo-and-a-half-year termCan be re-elected onceChairs EU summitsDrives forward the work of EU Council of MinistersFacilitates cohesion and consensusRepresents the EU on the world stage Profiles of new appointees Reaction to Rompuy appointmentTHE PRESIDENT'S ROLE Chosen by 27 member states by qualified majority voteTwo-and-a-half-year termCan be re-elected onceChairs EU summitsDrives forward the work of EU Council of MinistersFacilitates cohesion and consensusRepresents the EU on the world stage Profiles of new appointees Reaction to Rompuy appointment
Some say the jobs are less powerful than originally hoped, while others have expressed concern about the limited experience and profile of the two leaders, our correspondent says.
Turkish member of parliament Onur Oymen said he was concerned about what Mr Van Rompuy's presidency could mean for Turkey's aspirations to join the EU.
He told the BBC's World Today that Mr Van Rompuy had "said a few years ago that he was totally against Turkish membership because of religious and cultural reasons".
"We are not very optimistic about the future of our relations during his presidency," Mr Oymen said.
But European leaders have dismissed concerns about the appointees and praised their qualifications.
"We got a candidate who brings consensus and whose political competence have long been tested and tried throughout his political career," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel of Mr Van Rompuy.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it had been "a very wise decision" to choose a candidate from "an important country but not one of the most important countries, so that no-one will feel excluded" from EU debate.French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it had been "a very wise decision" to choose a candidate from "an important country but not one of the most important countries, so that no-one will feel excluded" from EU debate.
Addressing the summit after his appointment, Mr Van Rompuy said the EU was "living through exceptionally difficult times".Addressing the summit after his appointment, Mr Van Rompuy said the EU was "living through exceptionally difficult times".
He said the financial and climate crises "threaten our very survival" but that the problems "can be overcome by a joint effort between our countries".He said the financial and climate crises "threaten our very survival" but that the problems "can be overcome by a joint effort between our countries".
Baroness Ashton said she would pursue a policy of "quiet diplomacy" in her role as High Representative for Foreign Affairs.Baroness Ashton said she would pursue a policy of "quiet diplomacy" in her role as High Representative for Foreign Affairs.
She said she had the relevant skills for the job and that she had developed strong relationships during her time as EU Trade Commissioner.She said she had the relevant skills for the job and that she had developed strong relationships during her time as EU Trade Commissioner.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown denied accusations that Baroness Ashton lacked sufficient clout, and said her appointment was "a sign of the regard that people have for Britain".British Prime Minister Gordon Brown denied accusations that Baroness Ashton lacked sufficient clout, and said her appointment was "a sign of the regard that people have for Britain".
The two new posts were created by the Lisbon Treaty, which will come into force on 1 December.The two new posts were created by the Lisbon Treaty, which will come into force on 1 December.
The EU president will chair regular meetings of the European Council at which decisions are taken about the political position of the bloc.The EU president will chair regular meetings of the European Council at which decisions are taken about the political position of the bloc.
However, correspondents say the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as the post is officially known, could have an even more powerful role.However, correspondents say the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as the post is officially known, could have an even more powerful role.
What do you think of the European Council appointments - have the best people been chosen? Send us your comments using the form below.What do you think of the European Council appointments - have the best people been chosen? Send us your comments using the form below.
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