EU countries, bodies against strong president - analysts

Most European dailies consider Van Rompuy a grey figure.

But some analysts said people would not have big expectations of a less known personality, which they believe is good because such expectations cannot be fulfilled due to limited powers.

"There have been too many projects that had a grand introduction but resulted only in disappointment," Robert Zbiral, from Palacky University, said.

Zbiral said several persons who were underestimated at first managed to surprisingly influence the development of the European integration.

Apart from Van Rompuy, an EU summit selected outgoing British EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton as EU foreign minister.

Petr Kaniok, from Masaryk University, said representatives of EU members and the EC and the EP feared that a strong president might overshadow them.

Vit Dostal, from the Association of International Affairs, said Van Rompuy's position will not be comparable to that of the U.S. or Russian president.

Dostal said Van Rompuy can act only if the EU members reach a consensus on the issue.

He said the president's main task will be to head EU summits.

Aside from the summits, his political power will be low, Dostal said.

Analyst Jana Reschova, from Prague's University of Economics, said Van Rompuy's negotiating skills were an advantage for the summits. "He will be able to prepare grounds for an European Council meeting that is full of action," she said.

Marketa Pitrova, from Masaryk University, shares this view.

"A less known personality may be a more skilful diplomat and negotiator and a nomination from a smaller state will certainly help calm down the disputes between small and big countries," Pitrova told CTK.

She said she does not believe Van Rompuy can weaken the EU.

Dostal said Ashton as EU foreign minister seemed to have a better position than Van Rompuy.

Reschova said he believes that Ashton's main task will not be to set the line for EU foreign policy but to start the European diplomatic service.

Zbiral said he considered the selection of Van Rompuy to be the victory of Germany and smaller countries because France originally supported former British prime minister Tony Blair.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz