Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin were among world leaders congratulating Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he won Sunday’s historic runoff election to extend his two-decade rule.
Biden: ‘global challenges’
US President Biden said he hoped to work with Erdogan on “shared global challenges”.
“I look forward to continuing to work together as NATO allies on bilateral issues and shared global challenges,” Biden tweeted, making no mention of recent tensions in the bilateral relationship.
Congratulations to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye on his re-election.
I look forward to continuing to work together as NATO Allies on bilateral issues and shared global challenges.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 28, 2023
Putin: ‘logical result’
Russia’s President Putin, who has collaborated closely with Erdogan on key international issues despite some disagreements, told Turkey’s leader that his win was “the logical result of your dedicated work”.
“Your victory in these elections is the logical result of your dedicated work as head of the Turkish Republic, a clear evidence of the Turkish people’s support for your efforts to strengthen state sovereignty and pursue an independent foreign policy,” Putin said, according to the Kremlin website.
Von der Leyen: ‘strategic importance’
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission of the European Union, which Erdogan aspires for Turkey to join, said the bloc wanted to strengthen ties with the country.
“I congratulate (Erdogan) on winning the elections. I look forward to continue building the EU-Turkiye relationship,” she wrote on Twitter, using an alternate spelling for Turkey.
I congratulate @RTErdogan on winning the elections.
I look 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.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) May 28, 2023
“It is of strategic importance for both the EU and Turkiye to work on advancing this relationship, for the benefit of our people.”
Stoltenberg: ‘continuing our work together’
Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of the NATO military alliance, of which Turkey is a member, also sent congratulations.
“Congratulations President (Erdogan) on your re-election. I look forward to continuing our work together and preparing for the NATO Summit in July,” he tweeted.