Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero expressed his congratulations on Sunday to French president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy.

Zapatero said in a statement that Sarkozy represented an "open and modern right" and that he had "convinced the majority of the French people with his proposals."

The president-elect has shown he can "channel the desire for change in his nation, which is seeking to recover self-confidence and continue to be an engine for the Europe of the 21st century."

Zapatero said that Sarkozy had shown "friendship and respect for Spain" as Interior Minister as the two nations have collaborated closely in the fight against Basque armed rebels ETA.

Zapatero also praised Segolene Royal, who won close to 47 percent of the votes in Sunday's election, saying she had "brought together the French left around an innovate and exciting project" and that she is to "play a vital role in French politics."

Sarkozy, of the right-wing Union for a Popular Movement, won the French presidential run-off on Sunday, scoring an easy victory over Royal of the left-wing Socialist Party.

Source: Xinhua