UPDATE 3 - World leaders congratulate Erdogan on election success

ADDS CONGRATULATIONS FROM PRESIDENTS OF BELARUS, KOSOVO AND TRNC, BAHRAINI KING AND BULGARIAN PM

By Kubra Chohan, Cansu Dikme, Ali Abo Rezeg, Aamir Latif, Islamuddin Sajid, Talha Ozturk, and Mohammed Dhaysane

ANKARA (AA) - As votes continue to be counted in Turkey’s Sunday presidential and parliamentary elections, world leaders are congratulating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his election victory.

The first congratulation from an EU country came from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, according to presidential sources.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev also congratulated Erdogan on his "great success" in the presidential election, according to a statement by the Azerbaijani presidency.

In a phone call, Aliyev said Turkey has grown under Erdogan’s leadership, adding that Turkey’s economy has scored great successes and Ankara has cemented its position internationally.

Erdogan thanked Aliyev.

During the conversation, the leaders also expressed their belief in the progress of the brotherly relations between Turkey and Azerbaijan in all areas.

The statement also said Aliyev invited Erdogan to an official visit to Azerbaijan, and Erdogan accepted.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Mustafa Akinci and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov were also among the leaders who congratulated the Turkish president on his success.

- 'More success'

Moreover, Albanian Premier Edi Rama congratulated President Erdogan via a telephone call, which Erdogan received with thanks, according to presidential sources,.

In a phone call, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also congratulated Erdogan on "the success of the Turkish democratic process and his victory in the presidential elections," said the official Palestinian News Agency (WAFA).

Abbas said: "I wish Turkey more success, progress, and stability."

Erdogan, according to the agency, stressed Turkey’s "continued support” for the Palestinian people and “their just cause and their right to freedom and stability."

According to Bosnia's tripartite presidency, Bosniak leader Bakir Izetbegovic telephoned Erdogan to congratulate him on his success in the elections.

With some 90 percent of the vote counted, Erdogan currently leads in Turkey's presidential election.

Other international messages of congratulations came from Greek Foreign Minister Nikolaos Kotzias, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Macedonian President Gjorge Ivanov.

Kosovan President Hashim Thaci also congratulated Erdogan via his Twitter account and said: "Looking forward to our continued good cooperation between Kosovo and Turkey. Two countries are strategic allies in all spheres.

- 'Road to progress and prosperity'

Mamadi Toure, foreign minister of the West African country of Guinea, also congratulated his Turkish counterparty Mevlut Cavusoglu on the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s election success.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic wished Erdogan success in carrying out his duties.

"Serbia places great importance on its true friendship with Turkey and is committed to fostering good, solid relations. We will continue to be a reliable partner to Turkey and its leadership, which is ready to protect and defend values and principles in more challenging times," said Vucic in a written statement.

"You have made a new victory on the road to the progress and prosperity of Turkey and the great Turkish nation, and I am confident that your determination will remain a trademark of your leadership in facing future challenges," Vucic said in a telephone conversation with Erdogan, according to the statement.

Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain “extended heartfelt felicitations to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on his victory in the elections”.

Hussain underscored that the large turnout and the peaceful conduct of the parliamentary and presidential elections was a testimony to the strength and vibrancy of Turkey’s democratic values and institutions.

Hussain expressed hope that Turkey would continue on its path of progress and prosperity under Erdogan's leadership and that historic and unparalleled bilateral relations between Pakistan and Turkey would continue to grow.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Erdogan on reelection and said Turkey "will continue its progressive movement along the path of progress and prosperity.

"I am convinced that the strategic bilateral cooperation, which is dynamically expanding, has a huge potential, and by joint efforts we will be able to reach new heights in the political, trade-economic and other spheres of interaction," Lukashenko said.

- Mideast congratulations

In a telephone conversation, Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani also congratulated Erdogan on his success in the presidential and parliamentary elections, according to Turkish sources.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah also sent a cable congratulating Erdogan on his party winning the presidential and parliament elections.

Kuwait’s news agency KUNA said the emir praised the distinguished and historic relations between the two countries, expressing hope these ties would grow deeper in the days to come.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo also congratulated Erdogan in a statement on Twitter.

"Congratulations to President @RT_Erdogan on his successful presidential election. The government & people of Somalia congratulate the people of Turkey on their historic presidential and parliamentary elections. Turkey a valuable partner of Somalia," he wrote.

"My sincere congratulations to President Erdogan and the AK Party and to the Turkish people for their winning in the presidential and parliamentary elections," tweeted Ezzat al-Rishq, a senior leader of the Hamas movement.

Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa congratulated Erdogan on his election success and underline the deep-rooted ties between Turkey and Bahrain, according to Bahraini News Agency.