By IANS,
Manila : Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Wednesday congratulated Barack Obama as the new president of the United States as she looked forward to working closely with the next U.S. administration in strengthening regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.
“On behalf of the Filipino nation and the Filipino people, I congratulate Senator Barack Obama on his election as the 44th President of the United States,” President Arroyo said in a statement posted on the government’s website.
The Philippine government and the Filipino nation have closely observed the election, according to the statement.
“We, likewise, note the making of history with the election of Senator Obama as the first African-American President of the United States,” she said.
With the next administration of the United States, bilateral relations between the two countries will remain strong and stable as ever, President Arroyo said.