The President of the European Commission, Mr Jacques Santer, yesterday sent his best wishes to the President-elect, Mrs Mary McAleese, on her election.
On behalf of the EU Commission, Mr Santer expressed "sincerest congratulations and our best wishes for great success in your high mission".
"I am convinced that under your Presidency, the action of Ireland will continue to be determinant for the edification of an always more interdependent Europe, space of peace, prosperity and co-operation," it concluded.
A spokesman for the Commission said that the message had been translated from French and he hoped that it would be understood.