EU LEADERS overcame sharp divisions last night to appoint Belgian prime minister Herman Van Rompuy to the newly-created presidency of the European Council and choose EU trade commissioner Catherine Ashton as the bloc’s new foreign policy chief.
The compromise deal ended weeks of deadlock but the appointment of Ms Ashton, who was never elected to public office, prompted surprise and bewilderment in European politics.
She has little experience of international diplomacy yet will be charged with projecting the EU’s stance in its engagements with world powers.
Her selection was secured, however, after the centre-left political group in European Parliament agreed to back her nomination following the withdrawal from the race for the presidency of former British prime minister Tony Blair.
The deal enabled Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt to nominate one candidate for each post at last night’s dinner summit, defying expectation that the meeting could end in stalemate.
“Contrary to all expectations, this has in fact been a very straightforward meeting,” Taoiseach Brian Cowen said of the unanimous decision. Mr Cowen said both nominees could be assured of his support, adding that he met Mr Van Rompuy for a working dinner in Government Buildings a few weeks ago.
“I was very impressed by him, and by his manner. He understands very well the types of issues which different member states, and particularly small states, can encounter within Europe,” the Taoiseach said.
Mr Van Rompuy, a low-key Christian Democrat who is well-known as a conciliator, received strong support from France and Germany. He is likely to work in a chairman-like capacity in his new job.
Last night he said that battling the “anxiety and uncertainty” triggered by the financial crisis and fight climate change will be his top priorities.
“Without respect for our diversity, we will never build on our unity. I will always bear this principle in mind. Every country should emerge victorious from negotiations.”
Ms Ashton said her gender played no role in her winning the foreign-policy post, adding that her one year of EU-level experience will not be a handicap in dealings with world leaders. “Am I an ego on legs? No, I’m not. Judge me on what I do, and I think you’ll be proud of me.”
Mr Cowen described Ms Ashton as an effective trade commissioner. “I know the Tánaiste thinks highly of her. She has worked well especially on bilateral trade issues.”
Belgian political sources believe deputy prime minister Steven Vanackere could succeed Mr Van Rompuy. In office for only one year, Mr Van Rompuy outflanked number of rival candidates who included former taoiseach John Bruton.
The summit appointed French EU official Pierre de Boissieu, deputy secretary-general of the European Council, to the post of secretary general of the Council, an administrative role.