Swedish EU presidency seeks political agreement on top jobs

Nov 17, 2009, 8:36 GMT

Stockholm - A summit meeting of European Union leaders this week will hopefully result in 'political agreement' on the bloc's new top jobs, the Swedish EU presidency said Tuesday.

Pointing out that all EU members have ratified the Lisbon Treaty, 'the time has now come for us to choose the persons who will be appointed,' Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said in his invitation letter to Thursday's summit.

The posts to be filled include a permanent president to head the EU's summits and a head for the bloc's foreign-policy arm.

The Lisbon Treaty was due to enter into force on December 1.

Reinfeldt noted that the treaty 'will change many things in the way the European Union operates,' and he suggested that EU leaders devote some time at their working dinner 'if time allows' to discuss 'our future working methods.'

Reinfeldt has ahead of Thursday's summit telephoned EU leaders to hear their views about candidates for the posts.

Both Reinfeldt and Swedish EU Affairs Minister Cecilia Malmstrom have noted that there were more names than posts, suggesting that Thursday's parley could run late, possibly until Friday.

The selection process has to strike a balance between right and left, small and big countries and between north and south in the 27- nation bloc.