Belgian PM chosen as first EU president

November 20, 2009 08:36:29 AM

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European leaders on Thursday chose Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy to become the first president of the European Union, diplomatic sources said.
 
The 27 heads of state and government meeting in Brussels "have taken the decision to name Mr Van Rompuy," one EU diplomatic source said.

"Van Rompuy is the new president," a Czech diplomatic source echoed.

At the same time British EU Commissioner for trade Catherine Ashton was chosen as the EU's new foreign affairs supremo, the sources said.

The leaders hope the two new posts, created by the reforming Lisbon Treaty, will give Europe a stronger voice on the international stage.

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