欧洲理事会首位常任主席范龙佩４日正式投入工作。这位欧盟新“总统”上班首日便提议在２０１０年２月召开一次欧盟特别峰会，讨论经济议题。

范龙佩当天发表声明说：“这是我开始工作的第一天。我已经准备在２月１１日召开下一次欧盟首脑会议。我提议召开此次峰会重点 讨论经济议题。”

New EU President begins work

The new President of the European Council has officially started work in Brussels.

Herman Van Rompuy arrived Monday morning for his first official working day. He held a meeting with his head of cabinet, Frans van Daele, his spokesperson Dirk de Backer and his speechwriter Luuk van Middelaer. Van Rompuy, former Belgian prime minister, said he was preparing for the next meeting of the European Council in February. He said his first priority is to focus on Europe's economic growth. Van Rompuy also said meetings of EU leaders must help the European Union to "punch its weight" internationally.

The revised role of president was created after the 27-member bloc finally ratified the Lisbon Treaty, streamlining the EU's procedures.