German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday congratulated Barack Obama on his "historic win" of being elected as president of the United States and called for closer transatlantic cooperation.

"The world is facing significant challenges at the start of your term. I am convinced that we will decisively face up to the new threats and risks as well as explore the many opportunities that open up in our world in close and trustful cooperation between the United States and Europe," Merkel said in a congratulation message.

(Xinhua News Agency November 5, 2008)