Herman Van Rompuy, current EU president, doesn't want to be misunderstood. So it was that he came to see MEPs during the mini-plenary in Brussels to explain his new role. Reactions were mixed though most were happy with his initiative early on in his 2 an

Neither Président nor Chairperson

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A first appearance before   an EP plenary session.

President of the Council,   Herman Van Rompuy created excitement.

He was there to report   on the informal Council

where questions on   Greece's economy were raised.

He told MEPs he’s neither   a French-style “Président”

His role is to get EU leaders   to focus on what matters.

Where are we going?   How to deal with our neighbours?

Who are our main   strategic partners in the world?

Where do we want to be   in 10 or 20 years time?

He won’t report from every   informal council

but he will from the formal ones   with many planned.

But he had been pleased   with the meeting.

All the members of the European Council   are willing to take more responsibility

in a common European strategy   for growth and jobs.

Members were keen to hear   what he had to say,

even if they don’t all think   he’s right for the job,

or even that the job should exist at all.

But, his quiet speech   clearly impressed some.

I think that Mr Van Rompuy made   a very good job description

of the President of the European Council:

talking about continuity, the fact of being   designated by the Heads of State

I give him credit for having   called an early summit

and having started   to get our leaders thinking

about the urgency   of the reforms we need.

Whatever their feelings,   MEPs will have to get used to him:

he plans to come before them   on a regular basis.

It will not be long before many of you   will be fed up with the sight of me!