BRUSSELS, Nov 7 (KUNA) -- European Union leaders Wednesday extended their warm congratulations to President Barack Obama on his re-election as President of the United States of America.
"The United States is a key strategic partner of the European Union and we look forward to continuing the close cooperation established with President Obama over these last four years, to further strengthening our bilateral ties and to jointly addressing global challenges, including in the fields of security and economy," said the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and the President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso in a joint statement.
"We are also ready to continue our intense cooperation in foreign policy issues and in the promotion of our common values," said the statement.
On his part, European Parliament President, Martin Schulz, in a separate congratulatory statement said "the EU and the US are the world's closest allies our partnership is based on wide range of common values and shared interests." "Members of Congress and of the European Parliament must be brought together to ensure the best possible legislation for both sides of the Atlantic. The European Parliament is strongly committed to deepening this relationship, not only at executive-to-executive level, but in the daily business of our two legislatures," he added. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said, "President Obama has demonstrated outstanding leadership in maintaining this vital bond, and I look forward to continuing our close cooperation to ensure NATO remains effective in a fast-changing world, against new threats, with new capabilities, and an ever stronger network of partners across the globe." (end) nk.asa KUNA 071140 Nov 12NNNN