BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said he is optimistic that Nicolas Sarkozy -- elected today as French president -- will play a key role in resolving the EU's institutional and political issues.
Barroso said he telephoned Sarkozy to congratulate the centre-right candidate on his victory over socialist Segolene Royal.
'I know Nicolas Sarkozy well, and I know his desire to ensure that France occupies the position that it ought to on the European scene,' he said in a statement.
'And I have every confidence that Nicolas Sarkozy ... will play a driving role in the resolution of the institutional question and the consolidation of European politics,' he said. victoria.main@thomson.com vm COPYRIGHT Copyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.