"I am thoroughly looking forward to working together as a team with Condoleezza Rice," Schroeder told the Wednesday edition of the weekly Zeit.

He also said he will miss outgoing State of Secretary Collin Powell. "Our country knows and has a friendly relationship with him," he said.

The Chancellor also used the occasion of Rice's appointment to call on Washington to have more consultations with its European allies.

"I hope they (the Americans) realize that one can win wars alone, but not peace - and that the conclusion will be drawn that they should consult more carefully than ever with the partners whohave to be there afterward," said Schroeder.

The nomination of Rice has drawn mixed responses in Europe. Some have privately expressed regret that Powell's departure could strengthen the role of hardliners in the Bush administration who were reluctant to budge on issues ranging from the war in Iraq to environmental matters such as global warming.

Reactions in Germany were relatively upbeat while they were somewhat cautious in France.

German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer Tuesday praised Condoleezza Rice, saying: "the work with Condoleezza Rice in her role as national security advisor at the White House was based on trust, was close, and always excellent on a personal level."

France struck a wait-and-see attitude Tuesday towards the appointment of Rice.

French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier said: "France has had very proper relations with her. We will continue to have the same relations."

"The moment has come to rebuild, to renew, the transatlantic relation in a balanced manner," he added. Enditem