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.\"