LISBON, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Portugal's President Cavaco Silva extended "warm congratulations" Monday to France's President-elect Nicolas Sarkozy.

    In a congratulatory message, Silva said he hoped that Sarkozy would help cope with the challenges that face the European Union.

    He expected that Sarkozy's administration "will make an important contribution" to seizing the "opportunities" in Europe.

    "Portugal and France share the same destiny and view the European Union as a place of peace, democracy, justice, stability, security, and prosperity of all its members," he added.

    Sarkozy of the right-wing Union for a Popular Movement won the French presidential run-off on Sunday, scoring a victory over Segolene Royal of the left-wing Socialist Party.

    Sarkozy won over 53 percent of the vote against some 47 percent for Royal, who saw her chances of becoming France's first woman president dashed.