EUCOCIT News Update - New President of Europe

EU leaders, meeting  in Brussels chose  Herman Van Rompuy ( currently the Prime Minister of Belgium ) to be the new President of European Union He is a self-facing, low key 62 year old Christian Democrat economist who enjoys Japanese poetry. He is married with 4 Children. He is a staunch advocate of European integration. He has already announced that it was time that the EU imposed its own taxes and replaced national symbols , such as license plates, identity cards, sporting event, flags and National Anthems with their EU equivalent. It has been leaked that his salary will be approx 368,000 euros ( President Obama 274,000 Euros, President Sarkozy 246,000 Euros, Chancellor Merkel 233,000 Euros, Prime Minister Brown 223,000 Euros ) He will have a staff of 60, ( 22members of Cabinet,  28 support staff and 10 bodyguards ) His office Budget is over 25mill Euros and his travel budget will be over 4mill Euros. A new building will be built in Brussels, 322mill Euros, to house the Presidency and host EU Summits after 2013

 EU REPRESENTATIVE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT.

Baroness Ashton, 53 with two children and three step children, was elected to this position at the same meeting for  the President. She was appointed by the British Labor party to Europe after a career in British politics that started 8 years ago in a Regional Authority. She was given her title by Tony Blair in 1999 and became leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of Council in 2007. She was responsible for passing the Lisbon Treaty through the house of Lords in 2008.. On the return to London of Lord Mandelson in October 2008, she became Britain's First female EU Commissioner. Her salary is expected to be 335,000 Euros and she will lead the EU Diplomatic Corps of over 5000 staff in over 100 embassies with a budget of over 12bill Euros ( including Overseas aid )

 STRONG SURPLUS in the EUROZONE.

The 16 nations that use the Euro had a better than expected trade surplus in September due to higher exports. The Euro zone posted a surplus of 3.7 Billion Euros, beating the forecast of 2 Billion Euros.

 Czech Republic ratified the Lisbon Treaty 3rd November 2009

The Czech Republic was the last of the 27 countries of Europe to ratify the treaty. It is expected that this treaty will officially become law in December. With this new Union, it is expected that Europe will play a greater role in world affairs. The reason being that there will now be a European President and a Foreign Policy Leader.

Currently names thought to be considered for the position of President are; Tony Blair ( UK ), John Bruton ( Ireland ), Felipe Gonzales ( Spain ) Wolfgang Schuessel ( Germany ), Vaira Vike-freiberga ( Latvia ) Jan - Peter Balkenende ( The Netherlands ) Jean-Claude Juncker ( Luxembourg ), Herman Van Rompuy ( Belgium ).

 Cost of French Presidency

The French Court of Accounts have reported that the cost of the July-December Presidency in 2008 was 171m Euros. It is said that the average cost of the rotating presidency was in the region of 70-80 m Euros.

 GERMANY Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the end of the BERLIN WALL

European Leaders are expected to discuss the new President of Europe & the Foreign Policy Chief  when they meet on Monday to celebrate the  end of the wall at a dinner hosted by Germany's Chancellor. The role of Foreign Policy Chief could be considered the more powerful role as that person will also be Vice-President of the European Commission

 The European Central Bank leaves interest rate unchanged

The Eurozone interest rates are unchanged for the 6th month in a row, at a record low of 1% The US rate is currently is currently at 0.25%

 Eurozone unemployment rises

Just released figures show that unemployment in the Eurozone (16 states) rose to 9.7% in September, the highest rate since Jan 1999.

 Scotland - G 20 Members pledge to keep stimulus measures in place until Global recovery is assured

"Recovery is uneven and remains dependent on policy support, and high unemployment is a major concern" said a statement issued after the meeting.