By Martha Moss - 20th November 2009
There has been a mixed reaction among Europe's political groups to the appointment of Herman Van Rompuy and Cathy Ashton to the top EU jobs.
Van Rompuy, Belgium's prime minister, was named president of the European council and EU trade commissioner Ashton was appointed EU foreign affairs chief at a summit in Brussels on Thursday.
Europe's centre-right EPP and the Socialists welcomed the news, while the Greens said the appointment of two low-profile figures would weaken the EU.
EPP president Wilfried Martens congratulated Van Rompuy and Ashton, saying he was "delighted" with the decision of the 27 EU leaders.
"They have chosen two highly competent and experienced politicians to take over the two new leadership posts of the Lisbon treaty," said Martens.
"I always new that Herman Van Rompuy is a gifted politician with strong leadership qualities and that's the reason why I proposed him less than a year ago to the Belgian King to become prime minister.
"I am thrilled now that all 27 EU heads of state and government have also recognised the qualities and talent of Herman Van Rompuy and nominated him as the first president of the European council - Europe will not be disappointed."
EPP secretary general Antonio Lopez-Isturiz said Van Rompuy would "give much-needed political impetus to the EU and will reinforce the leadership efforts of commission president José Manuel Barroso".
He added, "Moreover, I'm convinced that Catherine Ashton will be a strong addition to the new Barroso commission - I wish her and the new commission all the best in upcoming hearings in the European parliament."
Martin Schulz, the leader of the Socialists and Democrats in the European parliament, said Ashton was a "good choice" for the EU foreign policy chief.
He said she had demonstrated "genuine negotiating skills" in getting the Lisbon treaty approved in Britain's upper house of parliament, and commended her work as EU trade commissioner.
"I have no doubt that she will perform her new duties with distinction," he added.
Constitutional affairs expert and ALDE MEP Andrew Duff said, "The deal will strengthen commission president Barroso and put him at the top of the tree.
"The choice is not very exciting but will bring stability and clarity to the new roles envisaged under the Lisbon treaty."
UK Liberal delegation leader Fiona Hall acknowledged that neither Van Rompuy or Ashton were well known, but welcomed the decision to appoint one man and one woman.
"Now that the top jobs have been appointed, the real work must begin," she said. "Baroness Ashton will need all the negotiating skills she has developed in the House of Lords and as trade commissioner."
However, Daniel Cohn-Bendit, co-president of the Greens/EFA group in the European parliament, said EU leaders "have continued the job of weakening the EU institutions".
"They have followed their weak choice of commission president with a bland council president and an unremarkable foreign affairs high representative," he said. "Europe is sinking to a low. The good news is that things can only get better."
Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms added, "The choice of a woman for one of the EU top jobs owes much to the intervention of the European parliament's women members.
"Catherine Ashton's success will depend on being able to work in close cooperation with the European parliament. She is better equipped to achieve that than her predecessor Javier Solana.
"Herman van Rompuy will be more of a chief moderator than a president of the EU council. EU leaders got exactly what so many of them wanted: someone who won't steal their limelight."
Meanwhile, EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner welcomed Ashton's appointment.
"Cathy Ashton will now face a formidable range of tasks and duties," said Ferrero-Waldner.
"She will have all my support in the next weeks and I am looking forward to working with her while a member of the commission."
She added, "In equipping itself to become a more effective actor in foreign policy, the EU is answering both the expectations of our international partners, and the wish of its citizens.
"The new arrangements under the Lisbon treaty will help us to live up to our responsibilities.
"With a double mandate in the council and the commission, baroness Ashton as the high representative/vice-president will be uniquely placed to build on my efforts, as commissioner for external relations and neighbourhood policy, and on my services (6000 people), and those of Javier Solana, to increase Europe's capacity to achieve its objectives on the world stage."
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