World leaders react to von der Leyen's re-election as EU Commission chief

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Ursula von der Leyen secured the backing of EU lawmakers on Thursday for another five-year term as president of the European Commission, the EU's powerful executive body.

Following are reactions from world leaders to von der Leyen's re-election:

NATO SECRETARY-GENERAL JENS STOLTENBERG

"My congratulations to my friend Ursula von der Leyen on a second term at the helm of the European Commission. NATO’s strategic partnership with the EU contributes to strengthening security in Europe and beyond."

GERMAN CHANCELLOR OLAF SCHOLZ

"Congratulations on your re-election, Ursula von der Leyen – a clear sign of our ability to act in the European Union, especially in difficult times. Europeans expect us to take Europe forward. Let's do it!"

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY

"I wish President von der Leyen every success in achieving results for all Europeans and strengthening (the) EU’s unity, defense, and economic power.

"Ukraine, as a future EU member, is eager to actively contribute to the strengthening of peace, security, and prosperity in Europe, as well as the EU’s growing global role."

ROBERTA METSOLA, EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PRESIDENT

"Congratulations Ursula (von der Leyen) on your well-deserved re-election as president of the EU Commission by the European Parliament! It is (a) testament to your strong leadership and unwavering values in testing times. Europe stands strong and stands ready."

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON

"For a more sovereign, more prosperous and competitive, more democratic Europe, congratulations dear Ursula von der Leyen!"

EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF JOSEP BORRELL

"Congratulations Ursula von der Leyen on your re-election.

I wish you the best for this new mandate, and for tackling the many threats challenging the European Union and strengthening the EU as a reliable global actor."

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER

"Congratulations (Ursula von der Leyen) on your re-election as president of the EU Commission. I look forward to working closely with you to reset the relationship between the UK and the European Union."

BELGIAN PRIME MINISTER ALEXANDER DE CROO

"Dear President von der Leyen, congratulations on your hard-fought re-election. Wishing you strength and wisdom. Your EU Commission has a lot on its plate. The EU’s single market and its competitiveness are in need of a reboost. Belgium will continue to be a loyal partner."

DUTCH PRIME MINISTER DICK SCHOOF

"Dear Ursula von der Leyen, congratulations on your appointment to a second term as president of the EU Commission. In a time of great challenges, it’s great that Europe can count on your knowledge, experience, and leadership. I look forward to working with you to gain more control over migration, strengthen our economy and security, and improve the prospects of the agricultural sector."

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU

"Congratulations on your re-appointment, (Ursula) von der Leyen. As you said when you visited Canada, hard times reveal true friends. And that's what the European Union and Canada are: true friends."

LUXEMBOURG PRIME MINISTER LUC FRIEDEN

"Congratulations dear Ursula von der Leyen on getting the European Parliament backing for a 2nd term at the helm of the EU Commission. Your ambition to deliver more prosperity, security and democracy for (the) EU makes you the right choice to lead the Commission through the next 5 years."

(Reporting by Charlotte Van Campenhout, additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa, Harshita Meenaktshi R and Rachel More,Editing by Gareth Jones and Rod Nickel)