Brussels, 10/10/2012 (Agence Europe) - Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, warmly welcomed this appointment, decided upon by Ban Ki-moon, the secretary general of the United Nations, on Wednesday 10 October.
“In all his positions, including as President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi has shown determination to support democracy and peace in Europe and beyond. His engagement in favour of international cooperation is particularly recognised in Africa. While the political, humanitarian and security situation in the Sahel continues to deteriorate, urgent actions are needed to enhance international coordination and engagement in support of national and regional efforts to address the root cause of the complex crisis in Mali and the Sahel”, Ashton's spokesperson stresses in a press release. (AN/transl.fl)