Wednesday, January 20, 2021

World leaders react to Joe Biden's inauguration

 

World leaders react to Joe Biden's inauguration

World leaders have reacted to a "new dawn" in U.S. politics after Joe Biden was sworn is as the 46th president of the United States.

a group of people posing for the camera: Aejaz Saiyad, an artist, gives finishing touches to a drawing of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and India's independence hero Mahatma Gandhi at his home in Ahmedabad, India, January 20, 2021.© Amit Dave/Reuters Aejaz Saiyad, an artist, gives finishing touches to a drawing of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and India's independence hero Mahatma Gandhi at his home in Ahmedabad, India, January 20, 2021.

Historic allies in the EU and U.K. have struck the most upbeat tone, with Ursurla von der Leyen, president of the EU Commission, saying there's a "friend in the White House" after four years wheretransatlantic relations often were strained.

"This is a historical achievement, and this also makes this day very special," she said. "This new dawn in America is the moment we've been waiting for so long. Europe is ready for a new start with our oldest and most trusted partner."

She added: "This will be a very strong starting point for our renewed cooperation, and of course, way more is to come."

a group of people posing for the camera: A child holds a tray of chocolates as others hold portraits of U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris after participating in special prayers ahead of her inauguration, at a Hindu temple in Thulasendrapuram, India, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.© Aijaz Rahi/AP A child holds a tray of chocolates as others hold portraits of U.S. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris after participating in special prayers ahead of her inauguration, at a Hindu temple in Thulasendrapuram, India, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson congratulated Biden ahead of the inauguration ceremony.

"As I said when I spoke with him on his election as president, I look forward to working with him and with his new administration, strengthening the partnership between our countries and working on our shared priorities from tackling climate change, building back better from the pandemic and strengthening our transatlantic security," he said.

MORE: Biden inauguration live updates

The British ambassador to the U.S., Dame Karen Pierce, said the Biden presidency was "very good news" for the U.K.


Video: EU calls on Biden to take global leadership on COVID-19 (Reuters)

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EU calls on Biden to take global leadership on COVID-19

Germany's president, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, called Inauguration Day a "good day for democracy."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent his congratulations to both Vice President Harris and President Biden on their "historic inauguration."

MORE: Biden takes office looking to turn the page, while rolling back Trump actions

"I look forward to working with you to further strengthen the US-Israel alliance, to continue expanding peace between Israel and the Arab world and to confront common challenges, chief among them the threat posed by Iran. I wish you the greatest success," he said in a statement. "God bless the United States of America. God bless Israel."

Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, said the new administration is an "opportunity to rejuvenate the Transatlantic relationship."

Several other world leaders congratulated Biden and Harris on social media.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to react to Biden's historic day but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov phoned into a press briefing to say that he did not foresee a change in the U.S.-Russia relationship.

"Nothing will change for Russia. Russia will continue to live just the way it has lived for hundreds of years, seeking good relations with the U.S.," he told reporters. "Whether Washington has reciprocal political will for that will depend on Mr. Biden and his team."

MORE: Trump pardons Bannon, other allies on final night in officeAejaz Saiyad, an artist, gives finishing touches to a drawing of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and India's independence hero Mahatma Gandhi at his home in Ahmedabad, India, January 20, 2021.© Amit Dave/Reuters Aejaz Saiyad, an artist, gives finishing touches to a drawing of U.S. President-elect Joe Biden, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and India's independence hero Mahatma Gandhi at his home in Ahmedabad, India, January 20, 2021.

At a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said of the incoming administration: "If you fulfill all your obligations, we will fulfill all our obligations as well."

"If you do not do so, we will not bow down to you. If you do fulfill your obligations, we don't owe you anything," Rouhani said.

On a different note, incoming Vice President Kamala Harris' ancestral village in India, where her mother's family hails from, marked the day with special prayers and pictures of Harris displayed in public and celebrations.

Thulasendrapuram, a tiny village just over 200 miles from the city of Chennai, is where Harris' maternal grandfather was born.

"We are feeling very proud that an Indian is being elected as the vice president of America," Anukampa Madhavasimhan, a local teacher, told The Associated Press.

ABC News' Clark Bentson, Alina Lobzina and Karson Yiu contributed to this report.

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