Brussels, 16/11/2009 (Agence Europe) - While the Swedish Presidency continues its consultations ahead of the extraordinary European Council on Thursday 19 November at which it is hoped to nominate the full-time European Council president and the high representative (HR) for foreign affairs and security policy, new names have been put forward to join the fray. The press has reported that the Social Democrat President of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves (a former foreign minister and MEP) would be happy to be appointed to one of the two posts. He could, indeed, be a serious contender for the HR post which the Socialist family has demanded for one of its own, though his stance, highly critical of Moscow, could compromise his chances. The name of José Maria Aznar has been suggested for the post of full-time president of the European Council. European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek has said that the former Spanish prime minister (EPP) should put himself forward. In the meantime, pressure is mounting for a woman to be appointed to one or other of the posts. In a letter to the Financial Times on 16 November, Commissioners Neelie Kroes (Competition) and Margot Wallström (Institutions), and European Parliament Vice-President Diana Wallis say that “it is time to move from words to deeds on gender equality by appointing women to leading positions in the EU”. For the moment, the only women mentioned as possible candidates are the former Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga (for the Presidency of the European Council) and Catherine Ashton (Trade Commissioner) of the UK and Elisabeth Guigou of France, for the HR post. (H.B./transl.rt)