Top EU official congratulates new Austrian chancellor

President of the European Council Donald Tusk here on Tuesday expressed his congratulations to Christian Kern on his appointment as Austrian chancellor.

Tusk said in a letter of congratulation that "in challenging times like these, the continued constructive contribution of Austria to finding common European solutions and keeping our unity is essential."

Tusk also expressed his expectation that Kern would attend the European Council summit in June.

The new Austrian chancellor was officially sworn in by Austrian President Heinz Fischer in Vienna on Tuesday.

Kern, former CEO of the Austrian Federal Railways, was confirmed by his party, the Social Democratic Party, as the next chancellor for the country last Friday, following the resignation of Werner Faymann earlier this month.

Source: XINHUA