Leaders from several Balkan countries on Wednesday congratulated Barack Obama on his election victory, all expressing hopes for stronger ties with the United States, one of the most influential presence in the Balkan region.

Serbian President Boris Tadic who leads a newly elected pro- western government said the election opens a new chapter in the long history of Serbian-U.S. relations, characterized by alliance and friendship most of that time, the official Tanjug news agency reported.

Serbia is firmly committed to fostering relations with the U.S. and contributing to Balkan stability and future in Europe, Tadic said in his congratulatory message.

By sharing the common values of justice, democracy and freedom, Serbia and the U.S. can work together as partners to make a better world, he said.

The president also voiced hope that the new U.S. administration will have more understanding for Serbia, which is defending its legitimate interests by peaceful and diplomatic means.

The Serbia-U.S. relations deteriorated drastically when Kosovo, the breakaway Serbian province unilaterally declared independence on Feb. 17 with strong supports from the U.S. and most EU nations.

Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Wednesday congratulated Obama on "a convincing victory in the presidential election," the official Hina news agency reported.

"I am convinced that your election as President of the United States will mark the beginning of a new chapter not only in the lives of many of your fellow citizens, but also in the U.S. attitude to the world and the world's attitude to the U.S.," Mesic said in his congratulatory letter.

"I expect that during your term in office Croatian-U.S. relations will continue to develop and become stronger," Mesic said, noting that Croatia is aspired to join the NATO and EU.

He hoped Obama as the new U.S. president would "devote due attention to the region where Croatia is situated -- Southeastern Europe, which is still burdened with the consequences of the wars that broke up the Yugoslav federation."

In Slovenia, President Danilo Tuerk and the outgoing Prime Minister Janez Jansa congratulated Obama upon his historic election as U.S. president, both expressing hope for a continuation of close cooperation between the countries in the future.

Tuerk wished Obama on behalf of Slovenia a great deal of success in his work and looked forward to working with Obama in the efforts for even stronger ties between the countries and constructive collaboration in dealing with global challenges, official Slovenian Press Agency reported.

Jansa highlighted the excellent bilateral relations in his congratulatory letter, stressing "people in Slovenia attribute great significance to a continuation of the friendly and close cooperation in the future as well."

The U.S. president's responsibility here goes beyond the national orbit, having a global influence, Jansa noted, calling for enhanced cooperation between the EU and the U.S. in facing global challenges to the benefit of the whole world.

The heads of states of Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina also sent congratulating letters to the new U.S. president.

(Xinhua News Agency November 6, 2008)