New EU president Van Rompuy starts first tour
(BRUSSELS) - The new president of the European Union, Herman Van Rompuy, on Monday embarks on his first tour since being named in the post.
Starting on Monday, the Belgian, 62, will visit the prime ministers of Denmark and Slovenia as well as Italy's Silvio Berlusconi, before taking part Tuesday in the formal ceremony to mark the entry into force of the EU's reforming Lisbon Treaty.
From Portugal, he will then travel to Finland and Latvia to meet their heads of government on Wednesday, eight days before his first full summit of leaders since being named at the end of a special gathering last week.
Van Rompuy, who was due to take up formal duties at the turn of the year, was relieved of his obligations as Belgian premier earlier this week, when Yves Leterme was returned to the job by King Albert II.
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