A man who is almost unknown outside of Belgium has been chosen as the first EU President. Herman Van Rompuy's rise as frontrunner for the newly-created post has baffled many in Europe, who predicted that a star candidate like Tony Blair would clinch the newly-created top job.

But this discreet statesman has mastered the art of compromise in his small, divided country, a skill seen as vital in a union of 27 countries. But would this be enough to make him the new face of Europe? During a special summit in Brussels, EU leaders decided unanimously that he was the best man for the job.

In a report made before Mr Van Rompuy's appointment was announced, Radio Netherlands Worldwide's EU correspondent Vanessa Mock asked Belgians if they thought their prime minister was right for the EU's new top job.