MOSCOW, November 11 (RIA Novosti) - The European Union will hold a summit on November 19 to elect a president and a foreign policy chief, the Swedish presidency said on Wednesday.

"After an introductory round of consultations with his fellow heads of state and government, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has decided to convene an extra informal summit on 19 November," the presidency said in a statement.

A secretary general for the European Council secretariat will also be elected. The summit of 27 heads of state and government will take place after the long-delayed ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon, which is due to come into force on December 1.

"The summit will take the form of a working dinner" in Brussels, the statement said.

Reinfeldt told The Financial Times on Wednesday that a former or current head of government would be appointed permanent president of the European Council.

Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Luxembourg leader Jean-Claude Juncker are leading candidates for president.