WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush telephoned France`s new president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy to congratulate him on his victory in Sunday`s presidential election, a White House spokesman said.
"President Bush called President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy to congratulate him on his victory," said Gordon Johndroe, spokeman for the White House National Security Council.
Italian PM congratulates Sarkozy on French poll win
Italy`s centre-left Prime Minister Romano Prodi warmly congratulated French presidential candidate Nicolas Sarkozy on his "handsome victory" in Sunday`s elections.
"Dear Nicolas, I would like to offer you my most sincere, friendly and affectionate congratulations for your handsome electoral victory and for your appointment to the presidency of the French republic," he said in a message reported by ANSA news agency.
"Our common work in Europe and across the world does not start today. We began it several years ago in our previous jobs. In the same way, the relationship between Italy and France does not begin today, because our two countries have been linked for centuries by a shared destiny.
"My country, my government and myself, personally, continue to consider France as a key ally and you, personally, as a friend."
Rightwinger Sarkozy won 53 percent of the vote in Sunday`s presidential poll, beating socialist candidate Segolene Royal, who won 47 percent, according to reliable projections.
"With your election, France has gained a great president, Europe a great statesman and Italy a great friend," added Claudio Scajola, one of the leaders of Forza Italia, the party of former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.