Leaders of the 27-nation European Union are scheduled to choose the bloc's first full-time president and foreign policy chief later on Thursday over a working dinner. The following are facts concerning the two posts.

The two new positions are regulated in the Lisbon Treaty, which is to come into force on December 1, 2009. The full name of the two positions are President of the European Council and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Under the Lisbon Treaty, the President of the European Council will be a stable and full-time function. The president enjoys a tenure of two and a half years and can be reelected for a second term.

The duties of the job include:

-- chair the council and drive forward its work;

-- ensure the preparation and continuity of the work of the council in cooperation with the President of the Commission;

-- endeavor to facilitate cohesion and consensus within the council;

-- present a report to the European Parliament after each of the meetings of the council.

The foreign policy chief enjoys a tenure of 5 years. And his duties include:

-- conduct the Union's common foreign and security policy;

-- contribute by his proposals to the development of that policy;

-- preside over the Foreign Affairs Council;

-- be one of the Vice-President of the Commission and ensure the consistency of the Union's external action;

-- represent the Union for matters relating to the common foreign and security policy, conduct political dialogue with third parties on the Union's behalf;

-- exercise authority over the European External Action Service and over the Union delegations in third countries and at international organizations.

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