The European Union Friday welcomed the appointment by the UN General Assembly of Navanethem Pillay for a second term as High Commissioner for Human Rights following the proposal by the UN Secretary-General. \"Ms Pillay has made an invaluable contribution in continuing to establish the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as an independent body defending and upholding Human Rights across the globe,\" said EU High Representative Catherine Ashton in a statement. \"Pillay\'s reappointment at the post of High Commissioner for Human Rights is a sign of strong support for her personally and for the work of her staff,\" she added.