EU: Tusk urges 'good cooperation' between institutions

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - European Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday voiced hope for cooperation between the EU institutions.

"I offer you my best wishes and hope for good cooperation between our institutions," Tusk said during his speech at the European Parliament, which elected its new President David-Maria Sassoli on Wednesday.

Tusk told the European Parliament that they must cooperate with each other in order to build trust and change Europe for the better.

"This is why, before the European Council proposed the new leadership of the Union, I met with your representatives many times," he added.

Tusk reminded the Parliament that for the first time in history, the European Council proposed two women and two men to lead the key EU institutions.

"I feel happy and proud that we have achieved perfect gender balance in the top positions. This is a very positive change. Europe is not only talking about women, it is choosing women.

"I hope that this choice will inspire many girls and women to fight for their beliefs and passions. And I also hope that it will inspire the European Parliament in its decisions," he said.

Late Tuesday, the European Council elected Charles Michel as the next president of both the European Council and the Euro Summit.

Moreover, European leaders proposed Ursula von der Leyen to lead the European Commission. If elected, she will be the first woman to serve in the post.

They also nominated IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde to be president of the European Central Bank, as well as Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Borrell as the EU's next foreign policy chief.

- MEPs critical of top EU top posts' nomination method

Many members of European Parliament are critical of how candidates for EU top posts were chosen in disregard of the lead candidate process, known as "Spitzenkandidaten".

The Spitzenkandidaten process is described by the EU as "a procedure whereby European political parties, ahead of European elections, appoint lead candidates for the role of Commission President, with the presidency of the Commission then going to the candidate of the political party capable of marshalling sufficient parliamentary support."

"The leaders of the political groups in the European Parliament also used the occasion to highlight the groups’ political priorities for the years ahead," a statement by the European Parliament said.

According to the statement, leaders of most groups expressed "strong reservations" on the European Council’s actions and decisions over the last few days.

"They particularly regretted the disregard shown to the Spitzenkandidaten process and the over-reach by heads of state in deciding the next President of the European Central Bank and in proposing Commission Vice-Presidents," it added.