British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has sent a message to Lawrence Gonzi, congratulating him on his success in Saturday’s general election. Mr Brown’s message read:

“My congratulations on your election victory – a personal triumph in your first general election as Prime Minister and Party Leader.

“I look forward to continuing to work with you and your government within Europe, and on the important global challenges both our countries are facing. In particular, those of climate change, illegal migration, and the creation of a Europe able to make a really effective contribution on these and other key issues of concern.”

Mr Brown will have an opportunity to congratulate Dr Gonzi in person later on this week, when they meet at the upcoming European Council.

Also congratulating the Prime Minister was the General Workers’ Union, which urged him to protect the interests of workers in view of changing and harsher situations in the labour market. The union hoped that in the coming years more work opportunities would be created, and that the Prime Minister would help, not weaken the GWU in its trade union work.

Joseph Daul, MEP, chairman of the EPP-ED Group, the largest group in the European Parliament, also warmly congratulated the Prime Minister.

Another message of congratulations came from a body which has been severely at odds with the Nationalist government: the hunters’ and trappers’ federation, FKNK.

After congratulating Dr Gonzi, the FKNK said it hoped that the Nationalist Party in government would seriously consider the grave problems their sector faced because of the European Commission’s U-turn. The federation said it was ready to help in every way possible with expert assistance where it was needed.

It added it would accept consultation meetings with the government to resolve the issue created by the commission which unilaterally decided “not to honour” one of 77 special arrangements arrived at during membership negotiations.