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Merkel wants the first EU president to be a mediator
Oct 30, 2009, 15:02 GMT
Brussels - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday the European Union's first president would need to be a skilled mediator.
'Of course it needs to be a person with special abilities,' the chancellor said after a summit of EU leaders in Brussels.
'To immediately understand the opinion of each member state in short conversations, to implement it fully and still not provoke a row - that is what we wish of the EU president.'
Germany has remained tight-lipped over its ideal choice for the roles of EU president and high representative, two posts being created by the full ratification of the Lisbon treaty.
Her comments followed a power-sharing deal between European conservatives and socialists, whereby the president of the council would be a politician from the centre-right while the foreign policy post would fall to a left-winger.
The deal was seen as a blow to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who had been touted for the top job.
Merkel also allowed herself a moment of humour as she countered the question that has come to dominate the sidelines of the summit.
'If you follow the president of the European Parliament (EP), the first EU president would look female,' Merkel said.
Met with silence, the chancellor added quickly - 'That was meant in jest.' The quip was aimed at quashing speculation that Germany was indeed backing a female candidate.
On Thursday, EP President Jerzy Buzek had urged leaders to appoint a woman to the EU's most prestigious post.
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