INTERNATIONAl. The European Union has chosen its first full-time president, Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy. The leaders of the 27-member bloc also chose a woman for the second top job, British commissioner Baroness Ashton, who will be the EU's new foreign policy chief

The appointment of the two little-known figures to the new top jobs in the EU has drawn a mixed response.

The US welcomed the choice, saying it would make Europe a stronger partner.

However, the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Brussels says there has been some dismay at the choice of two candidates with a low international profile.

The post of president has become a much less important one than originally envisaged, he adds.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mr Van Rompuy would bring consensus and political competence to the presidency.

British newspapers said the choices would not help the EU to achieve a greater global impact and questioned whether Baroness Ashton would carry much weight in her role.

At a press conference in Brussels, the European Union's President-elect Herman Van Rompuy offered a unifying message in English, Flemish and French -  vowing to listen and take into account all the diverse views of the 27-member block.

"Europe must be in every member state's advantage," said  Herman Van Rompuy. "This cardinal principle leds me to a two-track approach. First of all, I will consider everyone's interests and sensitivities. Even if our unity is our strength, our diversity remains our wealth. Every country has its own history, its own culture, its own way of doing things. Our journey may be toward a common destination, but we will all bring along different luggage."

Von Rompuy also vowed to ensure that every country in the EU will emerge victorious from any decision taken. He becomes the new EU president January 1. 

Van Rompuy said he would be "discreet" in his new job, adding that he sees climate change and Europe's high unemployment as key concerns in the years ahead.

Baroness Ashton and Van Rompuy were chosen unanimously by the 27 EU leaders at a summit in Brussels. Both have been seen as consensual politicians with limited foreign policy experience.

EU leaders also sought balance in selecting Catherine Ashton, the British trade commissioner for the European Union, for the job as foreign minister. Ashton said she was proud to be selected for a high-profile role in an institution dominated by men. And she said she would deliver results.

"Am I an ego on legs? No I'm not," said Catherine Ashton. "Do I want to be seen as saying everything all the time? No I don't. Judge me on what I do and I think you'll be pleased and proud of me." 

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the appointments were a "milestone for Europe and for its role in the world".

She said she was looking forward to working closely with Mr Van Rompuy and Baroness Ashton on issues of mutual concern, including the Iranian nuclear debate, achieving stability in Afghanistan and promoting a peace agreement in the Middle East.

The President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, also praised the appointments, saying it would be "impossible to find a better choice than those personalities for the European Union leadership".

Mrs Merkel said of Mr Van Rompuy: "We got a candidate who brings consensus and whose political competence have long been tested and tried throughout his political career."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it had been "a very wise decision" to choose a candidate from "an important country but not one of the most important countries, so that no-one will feel excluded" from EU debate.

Addressing the summit after his appointment, Mr Van Rompuy said the EU was "living through exceptionally difficult times".

He said the financial and climate crises "threaten our very survival" but that the problems "can be overcome by a joint effort between our countries".

Baroness Ashton said she would pursue a policy of "quiet diplomacy" in her role as High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

She said she had the relevant skills for the job and that she had developed strong relationships during her time as EU Trade Commissioner.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown denied accusations that Baroness Ashton lacked sufficient clout, and said her appointment was "a sign of the regard that people have for Britain".

The two new posts were created by the Lisbon Treaty, which will come into force on 1 December.

The EU president will chair regular meetings of the European Council at which decisions are taken about the political position of the bloc.

However, correspondents say the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as the post is officially known, could have an even more powerful role.

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