Obama welcomes EU apppointment
Friday, 20 November 2009 20:04
US President Barack Obama has welcomed the appointment of the EU's first president, saying it would make Europe an 'even stronger partner' for the US.
Mr Obama issued his congratulations after the EU's 27 heads of government named Belgian prime minister Herman Van Rompuy the first ever full-time president of the European Council.
Also at last night's summit in Brussels, EU trade commissioner Catherine Ashton was named as foreign affairs chief.
The role of president of the council of EU leaders was created under the Lisbon Treaty, which takes effect on 1 December and creates a diplomatic corps to be headed by Ms Ashton. She replaces Spaniard Javier Solana.
Mr Van Rompuy won plaudits for holding together Belgium's fragile coalition government after becoming prime minister less than a year ago.
