The arrival at the White House of Joe Biden, after four years of Donald Trump's controversial presidency, sparked a wave of optimism and relief on Wednesday, January 20, among traditional allies of the United States, who offered him a "new start".
The main rivals of Washington preferred to be without illusions, Russia judging that an improvement of the relations would depend on the "political will" of the new president and Iran estimating that "the ball is in the court" of Joe Biden.
>> Live: Joe Biden becomes 46th President of the United States
"A new start" for Europe
"Europe is ready for a new start," tweeted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen after Joe Biden's inauguration.
Ursula von der Leyen
Congratulations @JoeBiden on being sworn in as President of the United States and @KamalaHarris - the first woman Vice-President of the US!
Thank you for the inspiring inaugural address and for the offer to cooperate.
Europe is ready for a fresh start. # InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/Re7vaoUlHS
- Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 20, 2021
"The EU has a friend again in the White House after four long years" of the Trump presidency, she had previously told the European Parliament.
For his part, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, felt that it was "time to return to convictions, to common sense and to modernize our relationship", after having launched "a call to build together a founding pact, new ".
"The start of a new chapter in the Transatlantic Alliance"
"Today marks the start of a new chapter in the Transatlantic Alliance," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
"I look forward to working closely with President Biden," he added, stressing that "NATO allies must be united to face the security consequences of China's rise, of the terrorist threat, including in Afghanistan and Iraq, and of a more assured Russia ".
"Great relief" from Germany
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his "great relief".
"We are delighted that the United States, as an indispensable partner, will be by our side again in the future on many issues: in the common and united fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the global protection of the climate, on security issues, "he detailed.
Boris Johnson "looking forward to working" with Joe Biden
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also praised Joe Biden, saying he was "looking forward to working" with him.
“American leadership is vital on issues that concern us all, from climate change to Covid, and I look forward to working with President Biden,” he wrote on Twitter.
Boris Johnson
Congratulations to @JoeBiden on being sworn in as President of the United States and to @KamalaHarris on her historic inauguration.
America's leadership is vital on the issues that matter to us all, from climate change to COVID, and I look forward to working with President Biden.
- Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 20, 2021
The congratulations of Emmanuel Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron sent his “best wishes for success” to the new American president and hailed his decision to return to the Paris Climate Agreement.
"It is all together that we will be able to succeed in meeting the challenges of our time. It is all together that we will be able to change the climate situation by acting for our planet," he said.
"A great day for democracy", according to Giuseppe Conte
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte sent "his best wishes for good work to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris", hailing "a great day for democracy, the importance of which goes beyond American borders" .
"Italy is ready to face with the United States the common challenges of the international agenda," he wrote on Twitter.
The wishes of Pope Francis
Pope Francis sent "his best wishes and assurance of prayers" to the second Catholic president in United States history after John F. Kennedy, and encouraged him to promote "reconciliation and peace in the States -United and among the nations of the world ".
Joe Biden, a "true friend" of Ireland
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin congratulated Joe Biden, a "true friend" of Ireland, recalling his Irish roots.
He said he wanted to deepen "cooperation" between their two countries.
Justin Trudeau "looking forward to working with President Biden"
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he was "eager to work with President Biden" to "seek to make our countries safer, more prosperous and more resilient".
"Warm congratulations" from India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his "warm congratulations" to Joe Biden.
He said he "looked forward to working with him to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the United States."
"Strengthening the alliance" between Israel and the United States
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the new US president to "strengthen the alliance" between Israel and the United States in order to face "common challenges", such as the "threat" from Iran.
The hope of an "independent" Palestine
The Palestinians, for their part, called on President Biden to work towards the creation of an "independent" Palestine.
"We look forward to working together for peace and stability in the region and in the world," said Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.
Russia hopes for "more constructive" work
The Kremlin has ruled that improving relations between Russia and the United States depends on the "political will" of President-elect Joe Biden, according to a statement by Russian Presidency spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
Russian diplomacy has also said it hopes for "more constructive" work with the Biden administration to extend a major New Start disarmament treaty, limiting the nuclear arsenals of the two powers, which expires on February 5.
For his part, the last leader of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, called for "a normalization of relations", which today are "a source of great concern".
Donald Trump's policy castigated by Iran
Tehran hailed the departure of "tyrant" Donald Trump, judging that "the ball is in the court" of the new American president, Joe Biden, for a possible return of Washington to the agreement on Iranian nuclear power.
Donald Trump "has only brought problems to his own people and to the rest of the world," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani added in this televised address.
With AFP
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