At Thursday's European Council meeting, EU heads of state, after much speculation and talk, announced the appointment of two people for the newly created roles of President of the European Council and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy is to become the EU's first President of the European Council. His low profile at EU level may have appealed to EU leaders as many wanted the newly created role to take on a more chairmanship style and to drive forward work of the Council without taking the role beyond its remit. Van Rompuy will essentially be a spokesperson for the EU heads of state after they have reached decisions among themselves in the European Council.

Having broken the political deadlock and stalemate in his native Belgium he is seen a as good consensus builder and capable of bridging gaps between opposing sides, which will be essential in his role as President of the European Council when trying to reach consensus between EU heads of state in order to drive the Council's work forward with the conviction it needs.

UK Labour Party member Catherine Ashton has been appointed to the role of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Ashton is a relative newcomer to EU politics but she made strong impression and proved herself capable having spent just over a year as the EU's Trade Commissioner. She'll have the tough job of representing the EU's foreign policy as decided by the EU heads of state, and she'll be the first point of call when foreign countries want to get in touch with Europe. She will be the answer to the famous question posed by Henry Kissinger when he asked "Who do I call for Europe?" .

Vom Rompuy will take up his new position on the 1st of January next year, while Aston is expected to get to work straight away in establishing herself in this new role and putting into place many of the new features created by the Lisbon Treaty in relation to the EU's foreign affairs policy and outlook.

The scope and effectiveness of these two new positions will be defined as they go along, but the appointment of two of Van Rompuy and Ashton points to the idea the EU leaders did not want the positions to be filled by political heavyweights who might overshadow the influence of member states.