US President Barack Obama welcomed the appointment of the EU's first president on Thursday, saying it would make Europe an "even stronger partner" for the United States.

Obama, who returned Thursday from a trip to Asia, issued his congratulations after the 27-member European Union named Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy the first ever full-time president of the European Council.

Former EU trade commissioner, Britain's Catherine Ashton, was named as high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.

The appointments "will strengthen the EU and enable it to be an even stronger partner to the United States," the White House said in a statement.

The White House also sought to allay fears that US-EU relations will become less important as China rises and perceptions linger of Europe as a divided continent.

"The United States has no stronger partner than Europe in advancing security and prosperity around the world," the White House said.

In a separate statement, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed the appointments as "a milestone for Europe and for its role in the world," and described Ashton as "my new counterpart."

"I look forward to working closely with them to strengthen and broaden our partnership — from achieving stability in Afghanistan to securing Iranian compliance with its nonproliferation obligations and promoting a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, among many other shared objectives," the top US diplomat said.

"With the appointment of these distinguished leaders, I am more confident than ever that together we can build a more peaceful and prosperous world."

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AFP

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