Brussels, 04/06/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 4 June, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton congratulated Rami Hamdallah on his appointment to the post of Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority. Hamdallah has been appointed “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”, Ashton stated. She said that she looks forward “to working closely” with Hamdallah and “to supporting the continuing work to build the institutions of a future sovereign and independent Palestinian state based on respect for democracy and human rights, and living in peace and security with its neighbours”.
Ashton also expressed her “sincere appreciation” for outgoing Prime Minister Salam Fayyad's “consistent and successful work to advance the Palestinian Authority's state-building efforts”.
On 2 June, President Mahmoud Abbas appointed 54-year-old Rami Hamdallah, who is president of Nablus University, to the post of prime minster after the resignation of Salam Fayyad on 13 April. Hamdallah's government will be formed in the coming days. He said that while most ministers will stay in place, he will have a new finance minister. During a meeting in Cairo on 14 May, Fatah and Hamas gave themselves three months to form a government of national unity and to call simultaneous elections. (CG/transl.fl)