World Bank President Robert Zoellick was among the first to congratulate Christine Lagarde on her appointment as managing director of the International Monetary Fund. 

"The IMF plays a critical role in the global financial system. The World Bank Group and the IMF have worked ever more closely in the last few years to support countries as they recover from the global economic crisis, and to avert crises going forward," Zoellick said.

"I have had the great pleasure of working with Minister Lagarde in her capacity as France’s minister for economic affairs, finance and industry and as chair of the G-20 finance ministers. Wherever she has worked, she has had a strong voice and impact.  I look forward to working closely with her and with the IMF under her leadership," he said.

European Commission President Jose Barroso said in a statement addressed to Lagarde: "With your nomination as the first woman to head this institution, the International Monetary Fund has made an excellent choice, one based on expertise, experience and talent".


"On this occasion, I wish to pay particular tribute to the decisive role you have played on the economic and monetary dossiers over the course of these past five years, during which the world has witnessed the most serious financial and economic crisis in a century. I equally pay tribute to the quality of your presidency of the G20 finance ministers these past months, a period in which the challenges faced have been numerous."


Barroso told Lagarde: "Your commitment to Europe and your determination to advance European integration have been evident throughout and have contributed to providing Europe with a strengthened economic governance, allowing it to face up to the challenges confronting the euro area."


He said that over the years, the IMF and the EC had forged a close and solid partnership, which has been further strengthened in recent months.


"Our political and economic dialogue is constant. Our experts work together on a daily basis to face up to the sovereign debt challenge. I wish to consolidate these working relations and this partnership during your mandate at the IMF and I hope to welcome you very soon to Brussels in order to discuss this subject with you."

Lagarde's appointment is likely to provoke protests from some countries, but international monetary expert Domenico Lombardi says Lagarde's experience gave her the advantage in dealing with the potentially destabilizing effects of the European debt crisis, the Voice of America said.

"And one key factor in guiding this decision is certainly the ability for Christine Lagarde as a European coming from a key euro country to exert pressure, leverage on her European fellow finance ministers in terms of taking a more aggressive stance on the European crisis," Lombardi said.

Lagarde has indicated she would be a strong advocate for developing countries, particularly those in Asia and Africa.  Economist Gustavo Bagattini says ultimately, Lagarde's background on the global stage made her the best choice to take over the financial lending institution. 

"I think there isn't much question that Lagarde will be a very good managing director.  She obviously has the experience.  She has been involved deeply in the current crisis and pretty much fits the profile of previous managing directors of the IMF who have had similar backgrounds," Bagattini said.