Brussels, 03/08/2000 (Agence Europe) - European Commission President Romano Prodi sent a message of congratulations to Hugo Chavez, following his reelection to the head of the "Bolivar Republic of Venezuela". "I hope that during this new presidency the traditional friendship and close cooperation that unite the Bolivar Republic of Venezuela and the European Union will continue to develop", declared Prodi, reaffirming the Commission's desire "to progress down this path".