BACKGROUND: The European Union's new top leadership posts

Nov 19, 2009, 13:42 GMT

Brussels - European Union leaders were set to hold an informal dinner summit in Brussels on Thursday evening to reach a final decision on who should take the top three positions created by the Lisbon Treaty, which takes effect December 1.

The three positions set to be decided on are:

-- PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL

The president will preside over and assist the 6-month rotating presidency currently held by Sweden. His main role will be to increase continuity in guiding the European Council, the most important institution of the European Union.

The new president will have a term of two and a half years, with the possibility of being reelected once.

He will also represent the EU externally, a possible conflict with the other top post, informally referred to as the foreign minister.

-- HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY

The new 'High Representative' will combine the job of the old 'High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy' - currently held by Javier Solana - with the European Commissioner for External Affairs.

He will lead meetings of EU foreign ministers in the Council and will rely on a new 'External Action Service' comprised of staff from the Council Secretariat, the Commission, and the member countries.

The position is supposed to represent the 'single voice' so long sought after by supporters of European integration.

After the informal summit decides on the candidate for High Representative, he must be approved by the European Commission and the European Parliament, which must approve all members of the Commission.

-- SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT

The secretary-general will guide the Council of Ministers and its 3,200 bureaucrats, helping to ensure the smooth functioning of the institution.

Javier Solana had officially held the position, as well as the 'High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy.' The new secretary-general will be able to focus on managing the Council while the new high representative can concentrate on foreign affairs.