New head of European Council calls for strong EU on global stage

BRUSSELS, Dec 1 (KUNA) -- The former prime minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, Monday became the new President of the European Council for the next five years, and called for a strong EU on global stage.
Speaking at the handover ceremony with the outgoing President Herman Van Rompuy, Tusk said" as you can imagine it is a very important day for me.
"I come here with a strong sense of purpose. In these difficult times Europe needs success," he said and stressed that "the European Union must be strong internationally.
"Europe has to secure its borders and support those in the neighbourhood," he added.
On his part, van Rompuy said Tusk is a president coming from a country that 25 years was separated from the Union by the Iron Curtain.
"Now the favourite son of Poland is at the helm of the most important political institution of our Union. It really is a special moment. The European Council has a pivotal role in shaping this new face of our Union," he said. (end) nk.bs