Erdogan congratulates Turkmenistan leader

Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov recently won presidential election with more than 97 percent of the vote

By Sinan Uslu

ANKARA (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday congratulated Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the latter’s recent election as leader of Turkmenistan.

"I am confident that relations between Turkey and Turkmenistan will continue to strengthen in the coming period," Erdogan said in his message.

Turkmenistan’s leader was elected to a third seven-year term as president, the country’s electoral commission confirmed on Monday.

Fifty-nine-year-old Berdimuhamedov secured 97.69 percent of the vote on a 97 percent turnout, according to unofficial results.

Erdogan said he had "no doubt that Turkmenistan will take firm steps forward on its way to development and prosperity thanks to your strong and skilled leadership".

More than 150 foreign observers from international bodies including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, followed the election.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Berdimuhamedov on his victory, the Kremlin said in a statement on Monday.

Putin said he appreciated Berdimuhamedov's contribution to the development of "friendly" relations between Russia and Turkmenistan.

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