Newly-appointed European Union President Herman Van Rompuy, addresses the media at the European Council building in Brussels on Nov. 19, 2009. /AP

European Union leaders have named two relatively unknowns to be the first permanent EU president and foreign minister.

Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy will be the new president and EU Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton was appointed foreign policy chief. Both names were approved by consensus Thursday at a summit in Brussels.

Diplomats say both are compromise candidates with little foreign policy experience.

Britain had been insisting on a famous name -- specifically former British Prime Minster Tony Blair -- to be president. Other members wanted someone who they say would be less divisive as the EU looks for a bigger role in the world economy and political stage.

Van Rompuy has been Belgian prime minister since December, 2008. A conservative, he has been credited with keeping the country relatively stable during the economic crisis and the country's political problems.

Britain's Ashton is EU Trade Commissioner. She has years of experience as a center-left politician but little foreign policy expertise.

The new EU president will serve for at least 2.5 years. The current EU presidency rotates every six months.