From Vladimir Putin to Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelensky and Emmanuel Macron, several heads of state congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his victory on Sunday, May 28 in the Turkish presidential election and his new five-year term at the head of the country.

See also With 52.16% of the vote, Recep Tayyip Erdogan re-elected as head of Turkey

  • A "logical result" for Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin, who recently worked closely with his Turkish counterpart, said that Recep Tayyip Erdogan's victory was "the logical result of (his) dedicated work" at the head of the country and a "clear proof" of the population's support for his policies. The Russian president notably mentioned the "efforts" made, according to him, by Recep Tayyip Erdogan "to strengthen the sovereignty of the State and conduct an independent foreign policy".

As a NATO member, Turkey has influence in strategic areas crucial to Moscow, such as Syria, and has played a mediating role in the Ukrainian conflict.

  • Joe Biden hails 'NATO ally'

"I look forward to continuing to work together as NATO allies on bilateral issues and global challenges," US President Joe Biden tweeted.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also expressed his "look forward to continuing to work with the government chosen by the Turkish people".

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

  • "Confronting threats together within NATO" for London

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed "his eagerness to continue the close collaboration" between the UK and Turkey. "Congratulations to @RTErdogan," Rishi Sunak tweeted: "I look forward to continuing the close collaboration between our countries, whether it is expanding trade or addressing security threats as NATO allies."

  • 'Immense challenges' ahead, says Macron

Emmanuel Macron was one of the first European leaders to publicly congratulate Turkey's strongman, saying their two countries had "immense challenges to face together". Among these "challenges", the French president cited, on Twitter, the "return of peace in Europe, the future of our Euro-Atlantic Alliance, the Mediterranean Sea". "With President Erdogan, whom I congratulate, we will continue to move forward," he said.

France and Turkey face immense challenges together. Return of peace to Europe, future of our Euro-Atlantic Alliance, Mediterranean Sea. Together with President Erdogan, whom I congratulate on his re-election, we will continue to move forward.

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 28, 2023

  • Zelensky hopes to "strengthen" ties with Ankara

Sending his congratulations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped for a "strengthening" of ties between Kiev and Ankara, especially to ensure "security" in Europe. "We hope for a further strengthening of the strategic partnership for the good of our two countries as well as the strengthening of our cooperation for the security and stability of Europe," he said on Twitter.

Turkey had played a crucial role in renewing the agreement under which Moscow agreed to let Kiev export its grain for a limited period of time.

Cumhurbaşkanlığı seçimlerindeki zaferinden dolayı Cumhurbaşkanı @RTErdogan kutluyorum.
Avrupa'nın güvenliği ve istikrarı için işbirliğimizin geliştirilmesini ve ülkelerimizin yararına stratejik ortaklığımızın daha da güçlendirilmesini umuyoruz.

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 28, 2023

  • Scholz hopes for a "new impetus"

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he hoped that the re-election of Recep Tayyip Erdogan would give "new impetus" to relations between the two countries to "advance their common agenda". On Twitter, the leader called the two countries "close partners and allies" and recalled that "their people and economies are deeply intertwined".

Germany and Türkiye are close partners and allies, our people and economies are deeply intertwined. Congratulations to President Erdoğan - together we want to advance our common agenda with a fresh impetus!

— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) May 28, 2023

  • UN calls for enhanced cooperation

UN Secretary-General Guterres congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan and "looks forward to further strengthening cooperation between Turkiye and the United Nations," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, using the spelling of Turkey's official name.

  • Sweden invokes 'common security'

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson welcomed the re-election: "Our common security is a priority for the future." Sweden, a candidate for NATO membership, still faces Turkey's veto, which accuses the country of being a haven for "terrorists", especially members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

  • For the European Union, it is necessary to "develop relations" with Turkey

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel "welcomed" in Twitter posts to "further develop EU-Turkey relations".

Turkey is officially a candidate for EU membership but accession negotiations started in 2005 have been stalled for several years. The EU has difficult relations with Ankara, which remains an essential partner, particularly in the field of migration.

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

  • "Sincere congratulations" from MBS

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent his "sincere congratulations and best wishes for success" to Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a statement by the SPA news agency.

Relations between Riyadh and Ankara were frozen for more than three years after the murder in late 2018 in Istanbul of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. At the time, President Erdogan accused the "highest levels of the Saudi government of ordering the assassination. The closure last year by the Turkish judiciary of the assassination trial paved the way for rapprochement between the two regional powers.

With AFP

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