EU calls Nov. 19 summit for appointments

BRUSSELS, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Appointments to the three new top EU posts created by the Lisbon Treaty could be made at a Nov. 19 summit in Brussels, officials say.

After two weeks of consultations between Stockholm and the other European capitals, the Swedish EU presidency has called a summit for that day, which will be in the form of an EU leaders' dinner, the EUObserver reported Wednesday.

"It is hoped that at the summit, agreement can be reached on the appointment of the three new top EU posts regulated in the Treaty of Lisbon," the Swedish presidency said in a statement.

The gathering will be a historic moment for the EU, representing its biggest step toward establishing its own political identity. The three positions include the president of the European Council, the EU foreign relations chief and the largely bureaucratic appointment of a secretary-general of the Council, the EUObserver said.

Analysts say Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy remains the favorite for the presidency post. But British Foreign Minister David Miliband's expressions of non-interest in the foreign policy post has reportedly left that contest wide open.