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Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese join world leaders in welcoming Joe Biden

The West Australian
Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese have joined world leaders in congratulating and welcoming the arrival of US President Joe Biden.
Camera IconScott Morrison and Anthony Albanese have joined world leaders in congratulating and welcoming the arrival of US President Joe Biden. Credit: LUKAS COCH/AAPIMAGE

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese have joined world leaders in congratulating and welcoming the arrival of US President Joe Biden.

The Prime Minister tweeted to welcome in the new administration this morning, writing he was looking forward to “working closely” with the new President and Vice President over the next four years.

“Congratulations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on your inauguration,” he said.

“The Australian-US Alliance has never been more important. I wish you both every success for you time in office and look forward to working closely with your administration.”

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Scott Morrison said Australia and the US were “the best of mates” and he looked forward to working with the Biden administration on climate, energy and international and regional security.

“I appreciate the sort of very warm sentiment that we're already getting back from the Biden Administration and the many challenges that we have to work together on,” he said from Queensland.

“This relationship is even more important today than ever before.”

Mr Morrison said he particularly congratulated Kamala Harris on her inauguration as the first female Vice-President in the US.

“That is a historic moment and one that I think as a father of daughters, you can only celebrate,” he said.

“I wish her all the best in her very important duties as well.”

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese tweeted an image of President Biden, wishing him his congratulations.

Many leaders expressed hope that Biden would right the world's largest democracy after they watched rioters storm the US Capitol, shaking the faith of those fighting for democracy in their own countries.

While others expressed hope of renewed global cooperation, to address major challenges like climate change.

Governments targeted and sanctioned under Trump embraced the chance for a fresh start, while some heads of state who lauded Trump were more restrained in their expectations for the Biden administration.

But the overarching feeling was that there is a chance to repair frayed alliances and work together to address problems extending beyond national borders.

epa08952826 Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2021. Biden won the 03 November 2020 election to become the 46th President of the United States of America. EPA/ANDREW HARNIK / POOL
Camera Iconepa08952826 Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 20 January 2021. Biden won the 03 November 2020 election to become the 46th President of the United States of America. EPA/ANDREW HARNIK / POOL Credit: EPA

Former Colombian president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Juan Manuel Santos said Biden "understands the importance of co-operation among nations".

"If we don't co-operate - all nations - to fight climate change, then we will all perish. It's as simple as that," Santos said.

Queen Elizabeth II sent a private message to Mr Biden before he was sworn in, Buckingham Palace said, without revealing the contents of the message.

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged co-operation in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, for climate action and for a sustainable economic recovery. “Our two countries are more than neighbours - we are close friends, partners, and allies,” Mr Trudeau said.

French President Emmanuel Macron also noted the urgency of addressing climate change after Trump withdrew the US from the Paris climate accord, a move Biden was to reverse in the first hours of his presidency.

"We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet," he wrote on Twitter.

"Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!"

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he looked forward to working with Biden "on our shared priorities".

"From tackling climate change, building back better from the pandemic and strengthening our transatlantic security," he said.

Elsewhere in Europe, close US allies finally saw a chance to come in out of the cold after strained security and economic relationships with the Trump administration.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen hailed Biden's arrival as "resounding proof that, once again after four long years, Europe has a friend in the White House".

"This new dawn in America is the moment we've been awaiting for so long," she said.

In Germany, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued a video statement, calling Biden's inauguration a "good day for democracy".

"Despite the attempts to tear at America's institutional fabric, election workers and governors, the judiciary and Congress have proven strong," he said.

Pope Francis urged Biden to help foster reconciliation in the US and build up a society "marked by authentic justice and freedom" and looking out especially for the poor.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who formed close ties with Trump, noted a "warm personal friendship" with Biden.

"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," Netanyahu said.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, whose country has had a tumultuous relationship with Washington, said in a tweet he looked forward to building a stronger partnership through trade, economic engagement and countering climate change.

In Latin America, Biden faces immediate challenges on immigration, and the leaders of the two most populous countries - Brazil and Mexico - were friendly with Trump.

In Mexico, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who was one of the last world leaders to recognise Biden's victory, read from a letter he sent to Biden in 2012.

"We need to maintain a very good relationship with the United States government and I don't have any doubt that it's going to be that way," he said.

With AAP.

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