Obama congratulates Rousseff on reelection

President Obama on Monday offered congratulations to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on her reelection, despite still-bruised relations over U.S. surveillance programs.

{mosads}The U.S. is “committed to continuing to work with President Rousseff to strengthen our bilateral relationship,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement.

“The President looks forward to calling President Rousseff in the coming days to congratulate her personally and discuss how we can increase our collaboration to promote global security, prosperity, and respect for human rights, and increased bilateral cooperation on education, energy, trade, and other issues of mutual interest,” Earnest added.

Rousseff canceled a state visit to the U.S. last year and demanded an apology, after documents released by former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden revealed her personal phone calls and emails had been gathered in NSA spying programs. She has also demanded that the U.S. cease spying on Brazilian citizens and corporations.

The U.S. has worked to thaw relations since then, with Vice President Biden visiting the country in June to meet with Rousseff and attend a World Cup match.

“I told her what she already knew — that President Obama ordered an immediate review after we learned of the disclosures,” Biden said. “We are taking a new approach on these issues.”

That meeting appeared to pay some dividends, with Rousseff telling CNN in July she did not hold the Obama administration immediately responsible for the NSA spying.

“I do not believe the responsibility for the spying habits lay with the Obama administration. I think this was a process that began after Sept. 11,” Rousseff said.

She also said she believed the White House had “taken several steps” to address her concerns, and told The New York Times she would reschedule her visit to Washington.

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