NEW YORK (AFP) – President Barack Obama called Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday to congratulate her on her party’s win in the German parliamentary election, the White House said.

“The president noted his deep appreciation for Chancellor Merkel’s friendship, leadership, and steadfast support of the transatlantic relationship,” a White House statement said, a day after German voters nearly gave Merkel’s conservatives an absolute majority.

“The president and Chancellor Merkel agreed to continue their close cooperation on key issues of regional and global concern,” it added.

During the election campaign Merkel sought to portray herself as a safe pair of hands for guiding Europe through its economic and financial turmoil.

With 41.5 percent, Merkel’s Christian Democrats notched up their best score since German reunification in 1990.