STRASBOURG, France, Dec 12 (Reuters) - European Union lawmakers approved on Tuesday the appointment of Bulgaria's and Romania's EU commissioners, who will take their positions when both countries join the bloc on Jan. 1.

Following Tuesday's vote in the European Parliament, Bulgaria's Meglena Kuneva will assume the portfolio of European commissioner for consumer protection, while Romania's Leonard Orban will be the EU's first multilingualism chief.

583 MEPs voted in favour of Kuneva, with 21 voting against and 28 abstentions. Orban received 595 positive votes, 16 against his nomination and 29 abstentions.

"Meglena Kuneva fully meets the personal requirements of integrity, independence and competence," the parliament said in a statement. "Mr Orban seems particularly qualified to handle such a difficult portfolio with true professionalism."

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