On Wednesday, November 5, President Valdis Zatlers congratulated Senator Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate, on his victory in the US presidential election. The United States is Latvia’s strategic partner and ally, and the President is certain that the victory of Barack Obama in the election will mean continued and close co-operation between Latvia and the United States. "Barack Obama is a friend of Latvia’s, and he has previously indicated his support for our country. One confirmation of this is his participation in the initiative of a Senate resolution related to Latvia’s 90th anniversary – one which stresses the unlawfulness of Latvia’s occupation for several decades," says President Zatlers. The resolution was adopted by the US Senate in September of this year. Latvia has always enjoyed the support of both Republican and Democratic administrations, and the President is fully convinced that relations between Latvia and the US will continue to become stronger in pursuit of solutions to global and regional challenges related to economic and security issues. Latvia expects that Obama’s victory in the election will promote even closer co-operation between North America and Europe.