Europe's leaders are relieved that the wrangling over the EU's new positions of president and foreign minister is finally over. But they have no reason to be proud. Once again, the EU has missed an opportunity to boost its standing on the global stage. The relief among the 27 leaders of the European Union following the decision about the bloc's two new top jobs was visible. Right up until just before the special summit on Thursday evening, it had looked as if it would be a long night, given how far apart the member states' respective positions were. The appointment of the EU's first full-time president of the European Council and its first foreign minister appeared to be subjecting the bloc to yet another stress test. But then things took a surprise turn. In the end, the decisions happened very quickly. During the preparatory meeting of center-left EU leaders in the afternoon, it was decided that Britain's Catherine Ashton should be foreign minister. And the decision to appoint Belgium's Herman Van Rompuy as EU president was already made during the leaders' "working dinner" on Thursday evening. The decision was even unanimous, no less. Afterward, the leaders patted each other on the shoulder and praised one another for their ability to take action.
Europe's leaders are relieved that the wrangling over the EU's new positions of president and foreign minister is finally over. But they have no reason to be proud. Once again, the EU has missed an opportunity to boost its standing on the global stage.
The relief among the 27 leaders of the European Union following the decision about the bloc's two new top jobs was visible. Right up until just before the special summit on Thursday evening, it had looked as if it would be a long night, given how far apart the member states' respective positions were. The appointment of the EU's first full-time president of the European Council and its first foreign minister appeared to be subjecting the bloc to yet another stress test.
But then things took a surprise turn. In the end, the decisions happened very quickly.
During the preparatory meeting of center-left EU leaders in the afternoon, it was decided that Britain's Catherine Ashton should be foreign minister. And the decision to appoint Belgium's Herman Van Rompuy as EU president was already made during the leaders' "working dinner" on Thursday evening. The decision was even unanimous, no less. Afterward, the leaders patted each other on the shoulder and praised one another for their ability to take action.
LOL
