核心提示：11月19日，欧盟27国首脑特别峰会，会议任务是要选出欧盟理事会常任主席以及欧盟外交和安全政策高级代表，也就是"欧盟总统"和"欧盟外 长"。根据欧盟成员国批准的《里斯本条约》，欧盟将取消每半年轮换一次的欧盟主席国轮替机制，而设立欧盟理事会常任主席的职位。

转载自鲁汶大学校长的来信
The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven warmly congratulates Herman Van Rompuy upon his appointment to the post of President of the European Council of Heads of State and Government. The university is proud that it may count Herman Van Rompuy, the very first ‘President of Europe’, among its alumni.

Herman Van Rompuy attended K.U.Leuven from 1965 until 1971. During that time, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Law as well as completing the Master of Economics programme. He was also awarded the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy.

On behalf of the university, the rector wishes Herman Van Rompuy every success in his new position:

“Dear Prime Minister,

It is with great joy and fitting pride that the university community has learned of your appointment to the post of first permanent President of the European Council of Heads of State and Government.

Great joy because this honour and challenge have been bestowed upon a committed fellow countryman. Fitting pride because you, as an alumnus of K.U.Leuven (Law, Economics, Philosophy), have demonstrated more than ever that a thorough academic formation can contribute to the desire and capacity to assume great social responsibilities successfully. We therefore consider ourselves fortunate that you rank amongst our active alumni. In our Campuskrant (university newspaper) of May 2009, you stated that “Until recently, my fellow students were disappointed that I had not yet been elected prime minister.” Today, they have no cause to be disappointed whatsoever, with the exception of the fact that you will soon pass on the leadership of the Belgian government.

I would hereby like to assure you that the doors of K.U.Leuven will always be open to you.

With my warmest greetings,

Mark Waer, rector.”