Congratulations from world leaders have poured in for U.S. President Barack Obama after he won re-election over Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election Tuesday.

European Union (EU) President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the United States was a key strategic partner of the EU and the EU looks forward to continuing the close cooperation.

The EU leaders expected to further strengthen ties with the U.S. and to jointly address global challenges, such as security and the economy, during Obama's second term.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Obama Wednesday, congratulating him on the victory and would call Obama in person later, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper also congratulated Obama on his re-election.

Canada and the United States "enjoy one of the closest and most extensive relationships in the world," Harper said in a statement, adding that, over the years, he and Obama "have worked on several important bilateral initiatives to generate jobs and growth in both our countries."

"I look forward to working with the Obama administration over the next four years to continue finding ways to increase trade and investment flows between our countries," Harper said.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak have also sent messages congratulating Obama.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel cited her and Obama's past "close and friendly cooperation" regarding the ongoing financial crisis, peacekeeping in Afghanistan and efforts to control Iran's nuclear program in her message Wednesday.

"I look forward to continuing this (cooperation), so that both our countries can continue to work side-by-side to master the most important foreign and economic challenges that we face as friends and allies," Merkel said.

French President Francois Hollande congratulated Obama, saying his victory would "once again reinforce our partnership to facilitate the return of economic growth in our countries, to fight unemployment, and to find solutions to crises that threaten us, notably in the Middle East."

Hollande voiced belief that France and the United States would continue cooperation based on dialogue and mutual respect.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a diplomatic and trade visit to the Middle East, said he also looked forward to working with Obama.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her government was ready to cooperate with America.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered congratulations to Obama soon after his victory. Endi

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