Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak and Dilan Pamuk
20 January 2021•Update: 21 January 2021
ANKARA
NATO and European leaders congratulated new US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday as the pair were officially sworn into office in a heavily-guarded ceremony at the US Capitol.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg congratulated Biden and Harris and said “a new chapter for the transatlantic Alliance” began today.
“The bond between North America and Europe is the bedrock of our security, and a strong NATO is good for both North America and Europe. For more than seventy years, our transatlantic Alliance has guaranteed freedom, peace, and security for our people,” he said in a statement. “U.S. leadership remains essential as we work together to protect our democracies, our values and the rules-based international order.
The NATO chief also said he is looking forward to working with Biden and invited him to Brussels in 2021 for a NATO leaders’ summit.
European Council President Charles Michel congratulated the new US president and vice president, saying: “It’s time to bring back conviction & common sense and rejuvenate our EU-US relationship.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson took to Twitter to congratulate Biden and Harris.
“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,” he said.
“This is a great day for democracy, reaching far beyond the American borders. Italy stands ready to face the challenges of our common international agenda together with the United States,” Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte said on Twitter.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed wishes for the new leaders of the US.
“Best wishes on this most significant day for the American people! We are together,” he said on Twitter.
“We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet,” he added.
