EU leaders elect Tusk as new European Council President

BRUSSELS, Aug 30 (KUNA) -- Leaders of the 28-member European Union on Saturday elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk as President of the European Council, and Italian Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The decision was announced by the current President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy at a press conference here.
The term in office of the new President of the European Council lasts between December 1, 2014, and May 31, 2017. The mandate of two and a half years of the President of the European Council is renewable once, Rompuy said reading a statement by the EU leaders.
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is appointed for the period from the end of the current term of office of the Commission until 31 October 2019.
The appointment was made in agreement with the President-elect of the Commission.
The President of the Commission, the High Representative and the other members of the Commission will be subject to a vote of consent by the European Parliament, noted the statement. (end) nk.gb