US Welcomes Van Rompuy's EU Presidency

Belgian PM Herman Van Rompuy (L) and European Trade commissioner Catherine Ashtone pictured during a press conference as they were chosen to be first-ever EU president and new foreign affairs supremo respectively. Photo by EPA/BGNES

The United States has welcomed the appointment of the first permanent EU president and foreign representative.

Belgian PM Herman van Rompuy was named President of the European Council, while Briton Baroness Catherine Ashton was made EU foreign affairs supremo.

The US said the appointments would strengthen the EU and Europe's relationship with Washington.

In a statement, US President Barack Obama said the appointments would "strengthen the EU and enable it to be an even stronger partner to the United States".

He said the US had "no stronger partner than Europe in advancing security and prosperity around the world".

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

"With the appointment of these distinguished leaders, I am more confident than ever that together we can build a more peaceful and prosperous world," she said.

Clinton said she was looking forward to working closely with 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.

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