The EU's appointment of two low-profile figures as the bloc's first ever president and foreign policy chief has been met with criticism around the world.

Herman van Rompuy, Belgium's prime minister, was installed as president on Thursday night, while Catherine Ashton, the British EU trade commissioner, was backed for the post of foreign policy minister.

Many newspapers have criticised the appointments as a "stitch-up" and said the EU's selection failed to show any ambition.

But world leaders have welcomed the move, including Barack Obama, the US president, who said the posts would make Europe an "even stronger partner" for Washington.

On Friday The New York Times commented that "Europe seemed to be living down to expectations" and the German Speigel Online said "Europe counts on nobodies".

"The expectations are so low that Mr Van Rompuy and Ms Ashton can only be positive surprises. No wonder there is no enthusiasm about Europe," the publication said.

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