It is understood that he would have been unsure of taking the post when the Swedish government, which holds the rotating EU presidency, indicated in a paper on Wednesday that the president would have little or no role in foreign affairs.

This appeared to run counter to the Lisbon treaty, which said the president would oversee foreign policy in conjunction with the high representative.

"In conjuction with". Some spin there, dear Guardian!

The President of the European Council shall, at his level and in that capacity, ensure the external representation of the Union on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy, without prejudice to the powers of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Methinks the superiority of the High Representative is clear...

_{*Lunatic*, n.
One whose delusions are out of fashion.}