Ashton congratulates new Palestinian Authority PM

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton congratulated on Tuesday Dr. Rami Hamdallah on his appointment as the next Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority. \"Hamdallah has been appointed Prime Minister at a time when there is a real opportunity for a renewed peace process, but also at a time of difficult choices and challenges for Palestine,\" she said in a statement. Ashton said she looks forward to working closely with Dr. Hamdallah and to support the continuing work to build the institutions of a future sovereign and independent Palestinian state. She also expressed her sincere appreciation for outgoing Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad\'s \"consistent and successful work to advance the Palestinian Authority\'s state-building efforts.\"