Italian president congratulates Erdogan over reelection

By Ilkay Guder

ANKARA (AA) - The Italian president congratulated his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday on his reelection following Sunday’s elections, according to a presidential source.

In his message, Italian President Sergio Mattarella said Italy sees Turkey as a partner.

“I hope your new presidential term provides dynamic and positive contributions to Turkey’s EU membership process, as well as our bilateral ties,” Mattarella said, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Kyrgyz Parliament Speaker Dastanbek Jumabekov also congratulated Erdogan.

Jumabekov told the media that no one else but Erdogan had done good work for the Islamic and Turkic world in the last century.

"For this reason, the people of Turkey supported Erdogan in the elections," he said, adding that Turkey's election results was of great interest to the whole world, especially the U.S., Europe and Asian countries.

"I am so happy. This is a historical development," the parliament speaker added.

Erdogan won an absolute majority in the presidential race with 52.5 percent of the vote, while his main rival Muharrem Ince got only 30.6 percent votes.

*Nezir Aliyev from Bishkek contributed to the story