Q&A: What are the EU president and foreign policy jobs?

(Reuters) - The European Union holds a summit on Nov 19 to appoint a president and a high representative for foreign affairs. The following questions and answers look at the powers and responsibilities of the roles.

WHAT WILL THE PRESIDENT PRESIDE OVER?

The post is being created under the Lisbon Treaty, which goes into force on Dec 1. The treaty is intended to facilitate decision making within the EU and make the bloc a stronger global force.

The president will be the most senior figure in the power structure of the union of 500 million people.

He or she will chair the EU Council, which brings together the heads of state or government of the 27 member states, has legislative and budgetary powers which it shares with the European Parliament, and is the main policy-making body. The high representative for foreign policy and the president of the executive also will attend Council meetings.

The presidency of the Council has until now been held by each member state in turn for six months, chairing and organizing Council meetings. This system will continue, but with the new president chairing meetings of the EU leaders and in a more permanent role.

WHAT WILL THE PRESIDENT DO?

The definition of the president's role is vague but the main task is to build "cohesion and consensus" in the Council. The president will convene two Council meetings every six months and can call special meetings if there is urgent work to do.

The president will represent the EU externally on issues of foreign and security policy, in coordination with the high representative. He or she is the person who would expect to be called by leaders such as U.S. President Barack Obama or Chinese President Hu Jintao when they want to "speak to Europe".

HOW LONG WILL THE PRESIDENT SERVE?

The president is appointed for a term of 2-1/2 years, which is renewable once and cannot hold national office at the same time. The job is expected to pay a salary similar to that of European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, who earns 266,000 euros ($400,000) a year.

WHAT KIND OF LEADER WILL GET THE JOB?

Some European leaders believe the president should be a strong and experienced statesman who is already well known outside Europe and can open doors in world capitals. As some countries have suggested, it should be a leader who can "stop the traffic".

Others favor a low-profile leader skilled at building consensus and brokering deals. Diplomats say the latter view is more popular among the member states.

WHAT IS THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE?

The high representative will be appointed for a renewable five-year term and also will serve as vice-president of the Commission. He or she will oversee the External Action Service, the EU's diplomatic service, which is being created. The service will have offices around the world to work in conjunction with EU member states' own diplomatic operations.

The EU leaders are charged with shaping a common foreign and security policy among member states, but the high representative will be responsible for implementing that policy around the world and ensuring it is consistent and effective.

WHAT POLICIES WILL THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOLLOW?

The Council has not yet drawn up the specifics of the EU's common foreign and security policy, but the Lisbon treaty sets out guidelines for what it must aim to achieve. Among these are to "preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security", "encourage the integration of all countries into the world economy, including through the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade", and "assist populations, countries and regions confronting natural or man-made disasters". Poverty eradication, sustainable management of global resources and good global governance are also listed.

WHO WILL GET THE TWO JOBS?

The president and high representative are being chosen in tandem because EU leaders want a political balance in the top jobs.

If the president is from a center-right party, the high representative is likely to be from the center-left. A balance also is sought between large and small countries, between countries from northern and southern Europe, and between states in eastern and western Europe.

Barroso wants women in senior jobs and will form a new European Commission once the president and high representative have been named.

(Editing by Michael Roddy)