A survey published by the European Commission reveals something interesting. Seven out of ten people living in the ten new countries joining the European Union next year want a Common Foreign and Security Policy run by a strong Foreign Minister (Read about it here).

However, when it comes to the Draft Constitution's proposal for a new stronger EU President within the Council, the feelings are quite different. Some of the larger states, such as France, Germany and Britain, want a powerful new EU President in the Council. And, they managed to have their stronger Council President idea included in the Draft Constitution. However, most smaller states see the idea as a power grab by the bigger states and say they won't support it. And, only one no vote will stop the bigger state's idea dead in its tracks.

To make matters worse for these larger states, most of the EU's new member states also fear creating a stronger President within the Council. In fact, just last Friday Poland called for the current rotating presidency to be continued, but with slight modifications. Instead of rotating every six months, it should rotate each year. And instead of a single member state holding the presidency, three member states should share the presidency (Read about it here).

Yes indeed: The new, super EU President in the Council idea is going to face some stiff opposition. However, as I said before, it seems everybody loves the idea a new, super EU Foreign Minister -- even the new, pro-American states who will be joining next year.

What does this mean for the EU's Inter-govermnmental Conference they're having in Rome? It means, when the smoke settles and all the compromises have been reached, the new, super EU will most likely end up with a weak presidency and a powerful Foreign Minister.

And, it may mean job security for Javier Solana.

Stay tuned!