European leaders congratulate Trump over projected victory in US presidential race

By Necva Tastan Sevinc

ISTANBUL (AA) - European leaders on Wednesday congratulated Republican candidate and former US President Donald Trump on his projected election victory.

"Congratulations President Donald Trump. Ready to work together as we have done for four years," French President Emmanuel Macron said on X.

"With your convictions and with mine. With respect and ambition. For more peace and prosperity," he added.

"Congratulations President-elect Trump on your historic election victory. I look forward to working with you in the years ahead," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a statement.

“As the closest of allies," the UK and US stand shoulder to shoulder in "defense of our shared values of freedom, democracy and enterprise," he said.

"From growth and security to innovation and tech, I know that the UK-US special relationship will continue to prosper on both sides of the Atlantic for years to come," added Starmer.

“On behalf of myself and the Italian Government, my most sincere congratulations to the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump,” Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also said on X.

“Italy and the United States are ‘sister’ nations, linked by an unshakable alliance, common values, and a historic friendship. It is a strategic bond, which I am sure we will now strengthen even further,” she added.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also congratulated Trump, saying: "His leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through NATO."

In his first term as president, in 2017-2021, Trump was known for being sharply critical of the long-standing NATO alliance.

“I congratulate @realDonaldTrump to electoral success. The USA is an important strategic partner for Austria,” Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on X.

“We look forward to further expanding and strengthening our transatlantic relations together in order to successfully meet global challenges," he added.

- Hungary, the Netherlands, EU Commission head

Hailing Trump’s election victory as the "biggest comeback," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on X: "A much needed victory for the World!"

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also congratulated Trump, saying on X: "The United States is an important ally for the Netherlands, both bilaterally and in international contexts such as NATO. I look forward to our close cooperation on the shared interests between the USA and the Netherlands."

Albanian Premier Edi Rama said on X, also referring to current President Joe Biden: "It was a true honor to work alongside the 46th President of the United States to strengthen the bond between our two countries. I look forward to the great privilege of working with the 47th President to further enhance our partnership for peace, prosperity and further progress."

Congratulating Trump, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis wrote on X: "Romania is a strong and committed Strategic Ally of the US. Through our joint efforts, we will bring peace and prosperity for both our countries and beyond, defending our common interests."

Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store also congratulated Trump, stressing: "The US is Norway's most important partner and ally. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship with the new Trump administration."

EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said on X: "I warmly congratulate Donald J. Trump. The EU and the US are more than just allies. We are bound by a true partnership between our people, uniting 800 million citizens."

"So let's work together on a strong transatlantic agenda that keeps delivering for them," she added.

European Council President Charles Michel congratulated Trump, saying the EU and US "have an enduring alliance and a historic bond. As allies and friends, the EU looks forward to continuing our constructive cooperation."

"The EU will pursue its course in line with the strategic agenda as a strong, united, competitive and sovereign partner while defending the rules-based multilateral system," he added.

The leaders' response follows Trump's declaration of victory in the presidential election, though official results are still pending.

According to The Associated Press, Trump has garnered 267 Electoral College votes, just shy of the 270 needed to win. Fox News has already declared him the victor, though the official result is still pending.

Trump's potential return to the White House would mark a significant shift in US leadership and potentially in US-European relations. During his previous term, Trump publicly criticized European NATO allies for not meeting the alliance's defense spending target of 2% of GDP.

He argued that the US was shouldering an unfair burden of NATO's costs and threatened to withdraw from the alliance if other members did not increase their contributions.