国际英语新闻:EU leaders to further discuss top EU positions appointment

BRUSSELS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of the European Union (EU) countries will meet on Aug. 30 to further their discussions on appointments for top EU positions, according to EU official calendar unveiled Tuesday.

EU leaders met on July 16 to discuss a number of key appointments to be made for top EU positions. At the end of the meeting, European Council President Herman van Rompuy concluded on the need for further consultations to decide on names for EU top positions.

"We are not yet at the point where we can get a consensual solution on a full package of appointments. We will continue consultations," an EU statement quoted Van Rompuy as saying.

Therefore, EU leaders decided to meet again on Aug. 30 to further discuss the topic.

At their June meeting, EU leaders adopted the decision proposing to the European Parliament Jean-Claude Juncker as candidate for European Commission President. The Parliament elected the proposed candidate on July 15. Leaders also asked Van Rompuy to conduct consultations on the nominations for the other top positions.

During the course of 2014 there will not only be a new College of Commissioners, but also a new President of the European Council, and a new High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Van Rompuy was appointed for the first time in November 2009, and re-elected in March 2012. His current mandate will expire on Dec. 1, 2014.

EU leaders appointed Catherine Ashton as High Representative in November 2009, who will step down when the current Commission's term ends on Oct. 31.