Hollande, EU invite Trump to visit as soon as possible

French President François Hollande and European Union leaders have invited Donald Trump to discuss with them as soon as possible, following his victory in the US presidential election. Hollande called on Europe to be clear, lucid and determined in defending its interests.

France's President Francois Hollande at the Elysée Palace on Thursday Reuters//Jacky Naegelen

Trump's victory obliges Europeans to be "clear, lucid and capable of facing the challenges that concern them", Hollande said after meeting Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen on Thursday.

He cited security, the fight against terrorism and deals that have already been signed on trade and climate change.

On Wednesday he wrote to Trump, repeating his message that peace, the fight against terrorism, the Middle East situation, economic relations and saving the planet are all in the balance, adding that he wishes "as soon as possible to exchange opinions with you in the light of the values and interests that we share".

"I followed closely your first speech and in particular its message of appeasement and unity after a sometimes brutal election campaign," the letter said, going on to call for "respect our founding principles: democracy, freedoms, respect for each individual".

EU invites Trump to visit

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council President Donald Tusk on Wednesday invited Trump to an EU-US summit "at your earliest convenience".

It is “more important than ever to strengthen transatlantic relations” and cooperate on climate change, migration, counter-terrorism, and “the threats to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity”, they said.

During his campaign Trump described global warming as a "Chinese hoax" and said that President Barack Obama's handling of relations with Russia have created a situation that is "worse than the Cold War".

The letter also touched on the protectionist policies Trump promised in his campaign, saying that the leaders hopes that the US "will continue to invest in its partnerships with friends and allies", and mentioning negotiations on the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

European foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini has summoned member nations" foreign affairs ministers to Brussels on Sunday for an emergency summit.