France, EU vow to 'work closely' with Clinton

(PARIS) - France and the European Union pledged Monday to work closely with Hillary Clinton on tackling key world challenges following her nomination as the next US secretary of state.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, whose country holds the EU presidency, offered Clinton his "warmest, most friendly congratulations," paying tribute to her "competence, her convictions and her human qualities."

"Our cooperation is set to intensify in the coming months," said Kouchner.

"France and the European Union are ready to work closely with Hillary Clinton as part of a renewed trans-Atlantic partnership... to meet the economic, climate or security challenges that we all face together."

Kouchner also called for Paris and Washington to "continue to work together in defence of human freedom and dignity, to defend peace and security and combat intolerance."

"I will be happy to be able to work with Hillary Clinton, as soon as she takes office, on reinforcing Franco-American friendship," Kouchner said.

EU member states, under France's presidency, have drawn up a document aimed at breathing new life into relations with Washington, to be handed to president-elect Barack Obama's administration when it takes over on January 20.