UPDATE 4 - World leaders congratulate Turkish President Erdogan on reelection victory

UPDATES WITH MORE CONGRATULATIONS

By Burak Bir, Dilara Hamit, Beyza Binnur Donmez and Zehra Nur Düz

ANKARA (AA) — World leaders took to social media and public platforms to congratulate Türkiye’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who won a historic reelection Sunday as the nation’s president.

US President Joe Biden congratulated President Erdogan on his reelection, saying he looks forward to continuing to work together on bilateral issues and global challenges.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated Erdogan on his election victory.

Putin said he appreciates Erdogan's contribution to strengthening "friendly" relations between Moscow and Ankara and expressed his readiness to continue "constructive dialogue" on the bilateral, regional and international agenda, the Kremlin said in a statement.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulated Erdogan on his reelection, saying: “I look forward to continuing strong collaboration between our countries.”

French President Emmanuel Macron also congratulated Erdogan, saying: "We will continue to move forward together."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also congratulated President Erdogan, saying: "Together we want to advance our common agenda with a fresh impetus!"

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also extended his congratulations to the Turkish president, saying: "I look forward to continuing our work together & preparing for the #NATOSummit in July."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated Erdogan, saying she "looks forward to continue building the EU-Türkiye relationship."

"It is of strategic importance for both the EU and Türkiye to work on advancing this relationship, for the benefit of our people," she said on Twitter.

Congratulating Erdogan, European Council President Charles Michel said he is looking forward to working with him again to deepen ties.

Separately, the European Union congratulated Erdogan in a joint statement by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi.

"The EU has a strategic interest in continuing a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye and all its people, as well as in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean," said the statement.

- 'Common security'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the Turkish president on his reelection and said he hopes to develop cooperation for the security and stability of Europe.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog congratulated Erdogan on his reelection, saying the two countries will "continue to work together to strengthen, expand good ties."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh congratulated the Turkish president and Turkish people on their "election victory."

In a congratulatory note, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described Erdogan as "one of (the) few world leaders whose politics has been anchored in public service."

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev also congratulated Erdogan on his reelection in a phone call and invited him to pay a visit to the Azerbaijani capital Baku.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh said Erdogan's victory shows the renewal of the people's confidence in his successful projects and policies.

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also congratulated Erdogan and said that together, their two countries could "do more for global growth and stability."

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte congratulated the Turkish president, saying he wishes Erdogan "every success in the years ahead."

"I look forward to continuing to strengthen Dutch-Turkish relations and working together as friends and allies," he said on Twitter.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson also congratulated Erdogan, saying "our common security is a future priority."

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrated the Turkish president’s reelection, wishing him a "good mandate."

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said on Twitter: "My dear brother, congratulations on your victory, and I wish you success in your new term, and that you achieve in it what the brotherly Turkish people aspire to in terms of progress and prosperity.”

United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed also congratulated the Turkish president on his reelection victory, saying he is “looking forward to working together to further enhance the strategic partnership between our two countries.”

Hungarian President Katalin Novak also congratulated Erdogan, saying she is looking forward to working on strengthening their bilateral partnership.

"Türkiye's stability is crucial for Europe, and it can play an important role in achieving peace in Ukraine," she added on Twitter.

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban also congratulated President Erdogan "on his unquestionable election victory!"

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also congratulated Erdogan on his victory in Sunday’s runoff.

Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar and Prime Minister Unal Ustel separately extended congratulations and stressed the importance of Erdogan's victory for their island nation.

- 'A world leader with politics anchored in public service'

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic also congratulated Erdogan and the Turkish nation on their election victory.

In a phone call with Erdogan, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev also congratulated the Turkish president.

Georgia's Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili congratulated his "great friend" Erdogan "on his convincing reelection as the leader of Türkiye."

"We are eager to further enhance the bonds of friendship & strategic partnership," he said on Twitter.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune was also among the leaders congratulating the Turkish president on his reelection victory.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi also congratulated Erdogan, calling it a "sign of the continued valuable trust of the Turkish people."

​​​​​​​In a phone call, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati congratulated the Turkish president.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro celebrated the "triumph" of "brother and friend" President Erdogan in Türkiye's runoff election.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Twitter: “Congratulations to President @RTErdogan on his re-election. Looking forward to continuing working together towards full normalisation of relations between our countries.”

Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani also said on social media: "As you continue to lead Türkiye towards new successes, I look forward to working together to build on our excellent cooperation."

"May the partnership between Kosovo and Türkiye continue to grow stronger," she added in Turkish.

In the Balkans, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Montenegro’s former President Milo Djukanovic also congratulated Erdogan.

- 'Historic victory'

Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik congratulated Erdogan's "historical victory" in the country's first-ever presidential run-off.

"Voters again elected you as their leader! This decision of the voters is not important for the Republic of Türkiye only, but for the world!" he said on Twitter.

Zambia's President Hakainde Hichilema was among the first sub-Saharan African leaders to congratulate Erdogan on his reelection, saying in a tweet: "We look forward to deepening our strategic partnership for greater peace, prosperity and progress of both our countries."

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Erdogan, saying the result is a sign of the trust of the Turkish people.

"Congratulations brotherly and friendly Türkiye," tweeted the office of Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. “I extend heartfelt congratulations to my brother, President @RTErdogan, on his successful re-election!” said Hamza Abdi Barre, Somalia’s prime minister. “This demonstrates the trust and support for your leadership. We look forward to seeing the bonds between our two brotherly nations grow and our nations prosper.”

Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo expressed his "warm and sincere congratulations" to Erdogan, saying bilateral relations between Guinea Bissau and Türkiye will continue to be strengthened.

Senegalese President Macky Sall also sent his congratulations in a tweet, saying: “Warm congratulations to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his brilliant reelection as President of the Republic of Türkiye. I wish him every success in his new mandate.”

Chad's transitional President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said he was delighted with the reelection of President Erdogan.

Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel was also among the world leaders celebrating Erdogan's victory, wishing him success in his duties and reiterating his willingness to continue promoting ties of friendship and cooperation between their countries.

The chairman of the People's Council of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, also held a phone call with the Turkish president.

- Keeping bilateral ties strong

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik congratulated Erdogan for his new term and wished him and the Turkish people success, progress and prosperity, and for the friendship and cooperative relations between the two countries to further develop and grow.

"Norway congratulates Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his reelection as President of #Türkiye. Türkiye is an important friend and partner to Norway and a vital ally in NATO. I look forward to continue to strengthen and deepen our relationship @RTErdogan," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said on Twitter.

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara also wished Erdogan all the best, saying their two countries will continue their excellent cooperation in the interest of their peoples.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a cable of congratulations to Erdogan on his reelection. The Crown Prince extended his best wishes of success to President Erdogan and wished the brotherly people of the Republic of Türkiye further progress and prosperity.

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also sent a cable of congratulations to Erdogan and wished him every success in his presidential duties to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Turkish people for more progress and prosperity.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also issued a statement congratulating Erdogan for his new term. "I look forward to continuing to work with President Erdogan to strengthen our countries’ ties as long-standing NATO Allies and make progress on shared priorities. Canada also remains committed to supporting Türkiye as it rebuilds after the devastating earthquake(s) in the region earlier this year," it said.

Early on Monday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim congratulated President Erdogan on his reelection.

“Türkiye will continue to play (a) constructive role as an important regional and global player,” Ibrahim said on Twitter.

“Malaysia looks forward to working closely with Türkiye to further elevate our existing excellent bilateral relations,” he added.

According to unofficial results, the Turkish incumbent won the race with 52.14%, while opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu received 47.86% of the vote, said Ahmet Yener, chairman of the Supreme Election Council (YSK), adding that 99.43% of the ballot boxes had been opened so far.

More than 64.1 million Turkish citizens were registered to vote, including over 1.92 million who earlier cast their ballots at overseas polling stations.

Nearly 192,000 ballot boxes were set up for voters across Türkiye.

On May 14, no candidate won the required 50% in the first round, triggering the presidential runoff, although Erdogan took the lead with 49.52%.​​​​​​ On that day, Erdogan’s electoral alliance also won a majority of seats in parliament.

*With contributions from Anadolu Agency's worldwide network of correspondents.