Tusk 'cautiously optimistic' for swift nominations for top EU jobs

BRUSSELS -- Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, said Wednesday he is "cautiously optimistic" for a swift process of determining the future leadership of the European Union and hopes "we can make it on Thursday".

Tusk, in a letter inviting leaders of the EU's 28 member states ahead of their Brussels meeting on Thursday and Friday, said he had been consulting closely and regularly with the leaders as well as the European Parliament and its political group leaders for the past three weeks.

The aim is to appoint the new leaders of the EU institutions in June, and Tusk said: "I remain cautiously optimistic, as those I have spoken to have expressed determination to decide swiftly. I hope we can make it on Thursday."

In the highlight is the next president of the European Commission and other key EU positions. According to EU rules, the European Council nominates the president of the EU executive, who must be confirmed by the European Parliament. There is no clear favorite candidate as of now.

Current European Union President Jean-Claude Juncker will step down this autumn.

The meeting will also address euro reform, climate change, Brexit and others, according to Tusk's letter.