The President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy on Wednesday congratulated Xavier Bettel on his appointment as Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. "I am confident that the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and its new government will continue its constructive and valuable efforts in addressing today's challenges both at national and at the European level," he said in a statement. "I look forward to working with you and welcoming you at the European Council later this month," he said. Van Romnpy also expressed his sincere appreciation to ex-Prime Minister of Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker, saying his "long European experience has been a real asset for all of us." Juncker suffered losses in the country's elections in October. He had to call early elections due to a spy scandal in Luxembourg. Bettel, mayor of Luxembourg City, was designated in November by Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg as the country's next Prime Minister. He led his centrist Democratic Party to its best-ever election result