EU leaders yesterday unanimously elected Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy as the first full-time President of the EU Council and British Trade European Commissioner, Baroness Catherine Asthon as Foreign Affairs High Representative and Vice-President of the EU Executive.
The decision was made following an informal dinner for the 27 EU leaders in Brussels and became possible after British Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided not to insist on the nomination of his predecessor, Tony Blair.
Both Mr Van Rompuy and Baroness Asthon are considered to be low-profile figures and are not really known outside EU circles. However, EU diplomats said they were the result of consensus reached after two rounds of telephone diplomacy spearheaded by the president of the EU, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrick Reinfeldt.
"Both candidates are the best compromise one could secure among EU leaders. Mr Van Rompuy comes from the EPP and Baroness Asthon is a socialist. With Baroness Asthon's surprise appointment we have also managed to tackle the gender balance needed in the EU's two most prestigious jobs."
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi described the two personalities selected as people "who are capable to listen to all the member states including the small ones".
He praised the efforts put in by Mr Reinfeldt who, according to the Prime Minister, was instrumental in reaching a quick deal.
"Over the past days I was involved in these consultations through two separate telephone conversations with Mr Reinfeldt. He did a great job as he managed to present to the 26 other leaders a quick solution. Both Mr Van Rompuy and Baroness Asthon have a great sense of Europe and understand how the EU works. This augurs well for the future functioning of the EU."
Mr Van Rompuy, 62, has served as Prime Minister of Belgium - a founder EU member state - for less than a year and is considered to be a consensus builder. He will now have to resign to assume his new office.
Baroness Asthon, 53, had replaced British Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson following his resignation from the Commission to re-join the British Labour Government as Business Secretary. Before her appointment in Brussels, she was a member of the House of Lords and has little experience of foreign affairs.
With the appointment of the EU's top jobs now over, the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso is expected to conclude his negotiations with member states on the team of his second Commission and is already in an advanced stage of assigning portfolios to the commissioners-designate nominated by member states.
With the position of the British Commissioner now also filled, Malta is one of the very few member states which has still to make its nomination official.
Asked about the latest situation on Malta's nomination, Dr Gonzi refused to give any details and repeated his stock answer that "the appointment will be made at the opportune time".
Asked to say whether Social Policy Minister John Dalli will be nominated for the €220,000 a year job, Dr Gonzi said that no final decision had been made yet.
Pressed to say whether he had already offered the position to Mr Dalli, Dr Gonzi replied: "I can't say anything on that".
Mr Dalli last Tuesday held a private meeting with Mr Barroso during which The Times is informed that his possible portfolio was discussed.
Mr Dalli confirmed that a meeting with Mr Barroso was held but would not comment on whether he had been offered the job of commissioner.