First President of Europe elected.

[nomadicwarlord]

Brussels, Belgium (CNN) -- European Union leaders named Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as the first "president of Europe" Thursday, edging out former British Prime Minister Tony Blair for a still-vaguely defined job.

"I did not seek this high position, and I didn't take any steps to achieve it," Van Rompuy said in accepting the job. "But tonight, I take on this task with conviction and with enthusiasm."

Van Rompuy, a 62-year-old, soft-spoken fan of Japanese poetry, will become the face of European Union and represent its 27 member nations at summits overseas. His conservative government took office in December 2008.

The Belgian is "well known as a consensus builder," said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who added the selection was unanimous. And Jose Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission -- the executive arm of the EU -- called Van Rompuy's selection "a tribute to Belgium," the EU's host country.

" I think the European Union also expressed its gratitude for the work of Belgium and the constant support that this country at the heart of Europe has given to our common project," he said.

In his speech, Van Rompuy pledged to lead the EU through a process of "dialogue, unity and action."

"A negotiation that ends with a defeated party is never a good negotiation," he said. "As president of the council, I will listen carefully to everyone, and I will make sure that all deliberations turn into results for everyone."

The presidency was created by the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, which came into force this month after years of torturous negotiations. Van Rompuy will serve a two-and-a-half-year term, replacing the six-month presidency of the bloc that rotated among the heads of its member states.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/11 ... index.html

[nomadicwarlord]

European States are slowly losing their sovereignty.

[Hoowle]

Hail the new Caesar: Herman Van Rompuy

[Crazy Cat Lady]

on our way to perpetual peace...

[nomadicwarlord]

on our way to perpetual peace...

With increase in military spending, there will be no perpetual peace.

[Hoowle]

Actually increased military spending bodes well for peace. I mean, who is gonna fight a military goliath like the EU, specially one with beefed military force?

The best guarantee of world peace is the maintenance of absolute military superiority by Liberal Democracies (Japan, S. Korea, EU, N. America, Australia, Israel etc). Sorry, don't trust the Chinese, Russians or Arabs/Muslims.

[Crazy Cat Lady]

Actually increased military spending bodes well for peace. I mean, who is gonna fight a military goliath like the EU, specially one with beefed military force?

The best guarantee of world peace is the maintenance of absolute military superiority by Liberal Democracies (Japan, S. Korea, EU, N. America, Australia, Israel etc). Sorry, don't trust the Chinese, Russians or Arabs/Muslims.

Because liberal democries are more rational than undemocratic states?
The best guarantor for world peace is complete interdependence, yay globalization!

[Padishah]

One particular Liberal democracy hasn't stopped being involved in War since 1917. Care to name it?

[xoogSADE14]

Congratulations, you now have as much power as my local dry cleaner.

[IRONm@N]

They are paving the way for the Anti-christ to come.

[Hoowle]

One particular Liberal democracy hasn't stopped being involved in War since 1917. Care to name it?

The USA?