LONDON - The European Union's first full-time president will be chosen on Nov. 19, the Financial Times reported in its Wednesday edition, citing Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt.

Reinfeldt, who is leading the appointment process, said in an interview with the newspaper he had decided on next Thursday as the date when the EU's 27 heads of state and government should go to Brussels to finalise their choice at a working dinner, the paper reported.

The first president is almost certain to be a sitting or former head of government, the paper reported, citing Reinfeldt.

Diplomats have said there is strong backing for Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy to become Council president, but French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Luxembourg leader Jean-Claude Juncker remained in the running.