EU congratulates Merkel

The European Union’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana today offered his congratulations to German Conservative leader Angela Merkel on the news she was to become Chancellor.

“The first thing I have to say is to congratulate her, if that is the final decision,” Solana told reporters.

“I wish her all the best and I wish all the best to the new government and all the best to the people of Germany.”

Nato Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said “it is really important for a woman to become leader of the German Federal Republic.”

At a joint news conference, both men declined to speculate on the policies of the new government and their potential impact on relations on the EU and Nato.

European Commission spokeswoman Francoise Le Bail said hoped Merkel, if confirmed, would lead a “strong and stable government” in Berlin.

“Germany is a vital member state, when it comes to building Europe,” she told reporters. “We hope the government is going to take up office as quickly as possible.”