On November 19, the European Union (EU) announces that it has selected its first full-time president - Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy. Catherine Ashton, once British commissioner, is also chosen as the first EU high representive for foreign and security policy.

Compared with another candidate Blair, Herman Van Rompuy owns less reputation in international politics. He was born in 1947, and elected as Belgian Prime Minister last December. As the former speaker of the House in Belgium and other key positions, Herman Van Rompuy is good at resolving domestic political conflicts.

When people vividly describe the new positions as the "EU President" and "EU Foreign Minister", it essentially serves as the navigator for EU's new political mechanism. In other words, EU has taken an important step to the "Lisbon Treaty"

According to the new "Lisbon Treaty", the old rotaing mechanism that every leader in EU will take turns to be the chairman will be replaced. There will be a long-term president in the Council of Europe, responsible for all aspects of EU. The new president is expected to represent the EU for a stronger voice in the world.

Furthermore, it helps to strengthen the authority of the EU's leadership, improve decision-making efficiency, maintain the policies' continous stability. So that the EU could emerge as a more unified organization with strengthened predictability and sustainability. As its initiators dream, the EU could speak in only one voice internationally to expand its global influence.

If we recall the development history of the EU, economic and political factors played intertwined and mutural influence between each other. 20 years ago, drastic changes in the Soviet Union provide a significant opportunity for the EU members to expand the EU common market and build the monetary union. As the financial crisis and its resulting economic downtrun come, all members realize that it is time to speed up political cooperation and integration. If we suggest that the official circulation of the euro and the establishment of the euro zone 10 years ago mark the development of the EU's intergration to a higher level, then the "Lisbon Treaty" and its new leadership suggest that the EU has entered a new phase.