Rouhani Congratulates Erdogan on Landslide Victory

President Hassan Rouhani congratulated his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on winning a strong mandate as president in Sunday’s key elections. In a message Monday morning, the president congratulated the Turkish leader for winning the confidence of his people in the presidential elections, Tasnim News Agency reported. Rouhani expressed the hope that under Erdogan’s new term, the brotherly ties between Iran and Turkey would grow on the basis of “strong historical, cultural and religious bonds, good neighborliness, mutual respect and common interests.” The president hoped that “close and responsible cooperation” between the two neighbors on regional issues and issues related to the Muslim world would pave the way for the resolution of problems, stronger peace and stability, and promote welfare in the region. Erdogan won a new mandate following a landslide victory in the first round of Turkey’s presidential election. State media  put Erdogan on 53% with 99% of votes counted, and his closest rival Muharrem Ince on 31%. The 64-year-old gave a triumphant victory speech from his party headquarters in the capital Ankara, declaring: “The winner of this election is each and every individual among my 81 million citizens.”