Turkey election: Germany, U.S. congratulate Erdogan
Leaders around the world expressed their regards to Recep Tayyip Erdogan after he won another term. The opposition, meanwhile, had criticised the vote as "unfair".
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his election victory. "Congratulations to President Erdogan - together we want to advance our common agenda with a fresh impetus!" Scholz said on Twitter, hailing the two countries' close "partnership and alliance".
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his best wishes to Erdogan, saying he looked "forward to continuing to work together as NATO allies on bilateral issues and shared global challenges".
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the EU wants to strengthen ties with Turkey. "I congratulate (Erdogan) on winning the elections. I look forward to continue building the EU-[Turkey] relationship," she said. "It is of strategic importance for both the EU and [Turkey] to work on advancing this relationship, for the benefit of our people."
Russian President Vladimir Putin also congratulated the Turkish leader, saying his victory was "the logical result" of his dedicated work as head of the Turkish Republic. Putin also praised Erdogan for his "personal contribution to the strengthening of friendly Russian-Turkish relations".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was counting on building the partnership with Turkey, in his congratulatory words to Erdogan. He said he looked forward to strengthening cooperation "for the security and stability of Europe".
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the long-reigning Turkish leader as a "pillar of strength for the oppressed Muslims" as well as an "ardent voice for their inalienable rights". Qatar and Iran also offered their congratulations. Separately, Hungary's Viktor Orban praised Erdogan's "unquestionable election victory" on Twitter.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres congratulated Erdogan on his re-election. "[Guterres] looks forward to further strengthening the cooperation between [Turkey] and the United Nations," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
NATO, EU look forward to more cooperation
Both the European Union and the NATO alliance sent their congratulations to Erdogan, with whom both organisations have clashed multiple times during his 20-years of ruling Turkey. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he looked forward to working with Erdogan and preparing for the alliance's coming summit in July.
Turkey has actively played a role in the alliance, most recently with Erdogan blocking Sweden's accession and delaying Finland's. Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she looked forward to advancing the EU's relations with Turkey "for the benefit of our people".
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also congratulated Erdogan, saying he looked forward to strengthening cooperation between Turkey and the UN. (DW/Reuters/dpa/AFP)