UK's Johnson congratulates Biden ahead of inauguration

LONDON - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said late Tuesday he was looking forward to "working closely" with incoming US president Joe Biden, on the eve of his inauguration in Washington.

Johnson cited a host of policy areas in which he hoped to collaborate with Biden.

"I warmly congratulate Joe Biden on his historic inauguration as 46th President of the United States and look forward to working closely with his new administration as we defeat Covid and build back better from the pandemic," Johnson said in a statement.

"In our fight against Covid and across climate change, defence, security and in promoting and defending democracy, our goals are the same and our nations will work hand in hand to achieve them."

Britain is set to host a G7 summit in Carbis Bay, southwest England, in June -- the first face-to-face gathering of the world leaders' forum in almost two years -- as well as the COP26 UN environmental gathering in Scotland in November.

Johnson is hoping to use the events to bolster his image on the international stage, and position post-Brexit Britain as a leader on several key global issues.

"I look forward to welcoming him to Carbis Bay for the G7 and Glasgow for COP as we join forces to protect our planet," Johnson added.

"Only through international cooperation can we truly overcome the shared challenges which we face."

Britain left the European Union last year after nearly five decades of membership, and embarked on an uncertain future outside the bloc's rules and regulations on Jan 1.

AFP