The president of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, yesterday wrote to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi to congratulate him on the Nationalist Party’s re-election at the weekend.

“On behalf of the European Commission and myself, I would like to express my sincere congratulations on your reappointment as Prime Minister,” Mr Barroso wrote.

“I look forward to your continued support for the European Union as we seek to consolidate what we have together achieved so far and to tackle the challenges that lie ahead.

“I wish you every success in your new mandate and also kindly allow me to express my good wishes to the Maltese people,” Mr Barroso said.