Brussels, 23/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 23 January, Europeans paid tribute to King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. “King Abdullah was a strong partner for the European Union. He was a man of great vision and leadership who inspired Saudis for a decade as king, and for many more before that as Crown Prince”, said European Council President Donald Tusk in a press release. He said he hoped that King Abdullah's successor, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, would build on King Abdullah's achievements to further promote modernisation and reforms for the benefit of the Kingdom and its citizens. On behalf of the European Union, Tusk expressed sincere condolences to the Saudi royal family and to the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The European Commission spokesperson stated that this press release had been coordinated by the Commission. However, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker did not sign the message, which was just signed by Tusk. Many heads of state and government have also paid tribute to King Abdullah. The new king, aged 79, said that his country would remain “on the straight path that this State has followed since its creation by King Abdel Aziz Ben Saud and by his sons after him”. (CG)