The European Union is getting ready for a decision on who will become known as the first president of Europe. At a summit in Brussels, the EU's 27 member states are talking informally about who will take on this top role. Dutch Prime Minister Jan-Peter Balkenende, Luxembourg PM Jean-Claude Juncker and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair are among a handful of prominent names being mentioned in Brussels. The European President must be a former prime minister and will be selected by hand by his (or her) peers from the EU member states.
The Swedish presidency of the EU said it will act "swiftly" once the final obstacle to the EU's new structure will be lifted, when Czech President Vaclav Havel signs the Lisbon Treaty.
