Herman Van Rompuy, currently the prime minister of Belgium, was chosen this week by European leaders to become the first president of the European Council under the new Lisbon treaty. The president's term is two and a half years. The treaty will come into force on December 1.

Lady Ahston, the current British EU commissioner, in charge of trade, was appointed as the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy. The job, also created by the Lisbon treaty, will make her the EU Commission's next vice-president.

• The EU council press release

12 Oct 2009 -

Anyone But Tony