World News EU picks unknowns to fill top positions

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The European Union has chosen relative unknowns to fill the roles of president and foreign policy chief, it announced Nov. 19.

Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy was chosen for the post of president and Briton Catherine Ashton was tapped to be EU Trade Commissioner. The choices dashed hopes of those who wanted to raise Europe's global profile by appointing bigger-name candidates to give united Europe a voice in the world commensurate with its economic heft.

Van Rompuy and Ashton are meant to give the EU a bigger role on issues such as climate change, terrorism and trade amid the rise of Brazil, China and India.

They were chosen from about 10 candidates, some, such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, boasting more eye catching backgrounds. Britain's Labour government pushed for Blair but was rebuffed by France and Germany because of his support for the Iraq war. (AP)

EU初代大統領にファン・ロンパウ氏

欧州連合（EU）は11月19日、比較的無名の人物を大統領と外務大臣に当たるポストに任命したと発表した。

Shukan ST: December 4, 2009

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