Russia’s President Vladimir Putin congratulated Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday on his victory in the second round of Sunday’s presidential election in Turkey, via a message published on the Kremlin portal.
“The election victory was the natural result of his selfless work at the head of the Republic of Turkey, a clear demonstration of the Turkish people’s support for his efforts to strengthen state sovereignty and conduct an independent foreign policy,” the Russian president wrote. in the message to Erdogan.
In particular, Putin emphasized Erdogan’s personal contribution to strengthening friendly relations between the two countries and “mutually beneficial” cooperation in various fields.
“I would like to confirm our willingness to continue constructive dialogue on current issues on the bilateral, regional and international agenda,” added Putin, who maintains a strong personal relationship with Erdogan.
In the message, Putin underlined the importance of carrying out joint energy projects, such as the construction of the Akkuyu power plant and the establishment of a gas production and storage center in Turkey.
In this sense, Moscow also underlined that it has “very ambitious” goals with Ankara.
“There is a great dynamic behind joint projects [entre Moscovo e Ancara] and we expect this dynamic to continue. The targets are very, very ambitious,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Erdogan won 52.1% of the vote on Sunday, beating Social Democrat Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, who won 47.9% in the second round of Sunday’s Turkish presidential election after 99.5% of the vote was counted, the local election commission said. .
In front of his supporters, the head of state, who has been in power for 20 years, assured that he will “keep all the promises made to the people” and stressed that every election is “a rebirth”.
“Our nation has entrusted us with the responsibility of running the country for the next five years,” Erdogan said to an enthusiastic crowd outside his Istanbul residence.
In turn, opponent Kemal Kiliçdaroglu expressed his sorrow for Turkey’s future.
“I am deeply saddened by the difficulties the country is facing,” the defeated candidate and leader of Turkey’s main opposition party said after Erdogan’s re-election at his party’s headquarters in Ankara.
Source: DN
