France says US elections mark new step in ties
French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier saluted American democracy today and said that, whoever the winner, the US presidential election marked a new step in trans-Atlantic ties.
Speaking before the results of the tight US race were known, Barnier said he “takes off his hat to American democracy”, praising the “formidable mobilisation and a debate that interested the entire world”.
“We’re going to work with the American administration, Barnier said. “We have lots to do on current crises: Iraq, the Middle East, Iran, the challenges of the African continent, to rebuild, to renovate trans-Atlantic relations.”
Whoever wins, he said: “This is a new step that starts at a very important moment for the world.”
Barnier said that the United States and Europe “need each other. Our world needs several powers,” the foreign minister said.
