EU congratulates new president of Mali

The European Union Thursday congratulated Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita who will be publicly inaugurated today after winning landslide election victory in August. European Council President Herman Van Romnpuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso in a joint statement expressed the 28-maember European blocs support to President Keita saying he opens a new page in the history of Mali but huge challenges remain. "The European Union, the main partner of Mali, will accompany its new President and the democratically elected government in its efforts to promote lasting peace, unity and national reconciliation, the full restoration of constitutional order and the rule of the state, " added the statement.