歐洲理事會(huì)首位常任主席范龍佩４日正式投入工作。這位歐盟新“總統(tǒng)”上班首日便提議在２０１０年２月召開一次歐盟特別峰會(huì)，討論經(jīng)濟(jì)議題。

范龍佩當(dāng)天發(fā)表聲明說：“這是我開始工作的第一天。我已經(jīng)準(zhǔn)備在２月１１日召開下一次歐盟首腦會(huì)議。我提議召開此次峰會(huì)重點(diǎn) 討論經(jīng)濟(jì)議題。”

New EU President begins work

The new President of the European Council has officially started work in Brussels.

Herman Van Rompuy arrived Monday morning for his first official working day. He held a meeting with his head of cabinet, Frans van Daele, his spokesperson Dirk de Backer and his speechwriter Luuk van Middelaer. Van Rompuy, former Belgian prime minister, said he was preparing for the next meeting of the European Council in February. He said his first priority is to focus on Europe's economic growth. Van Rompuy also said meetings of EU leaders must help the European Union to "punch its weight" internationally.

The revised role of president was created after the 27-member bloc finally ratified the Lisbon Treaty, streamlining the EU's procedures.