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Page last updated at 12:59 GMT, Friday, 20 November 2009

EU heads receive backing and dismiss critics

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The EU now has its first full time president - someone that the White House can call in the event of a global emergency.

But the appointment of Herman van Rompuy, until now the Belgian prime minister, and also that of Catherine Ashton as the new EU foreign minister, is likely to have many governments scratching their heads.

They are relative unknowns and that has brought criticism that they would not help Europe have a louder voice on the global stage.

Despite that, there has been a warm response from US President Barack Obama. He says they will make the EU an even stronger partner for America.

Dominic Hughes reports.

READ MORE: EU foreign head dismisses critics

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