Javier Solana, foreign affairs and security chief of the European Union (EU), on Friday congratulated the UN nuclear watchdog and its leader, Mohamed ElBaradei for winning the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

"I warmly congratulate the International Atomic Energy Agency and would like to offer my personal good wishes to its director- general, Mohamed ElBaradei, for achieving this great distinction, the Nobel Peace Prize," said Solana in a personal message to ElBaradei.

"This is a just reward for a sustained effort over many years to promote and safeguard the peaceful use of nuclear energy and is a recognition of the key role played by the agency in fostering greater peace and stability among nations," a press released carried in Solana's Web page quoted him as saying.

Source: Xinhua