Biden, Blinken congratulate Erdogan: A valued NATO Ally

US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday congratulated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over his victory in the presidential runoff in the country.

“Congratulations to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on his re-election. I look forward to continuing to work together as NATO Allies on bilateral issues and shared global challenges,” tweeted Biden.

Blinken also tweeted his congratulations to the Turkish President, writing, “Congratulations to President Erdogan on re-election and to Turkey’s voters on high turnout, reflecting a long democratic tradition.”

“Turkey is a valued NATO Ally and partner. I look forward to our continued work together with the government chosen by the Turkish people,” added the Secretary of State.

Erdogan earlier on Sunday claimed victory over his reformist opponent, economist Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, after the polls closed across Turkey.

The Turkish Electoral Body announced that with 75.4% of the vote counted, Erdogan leads Kılıçdaroğlu 53.4% to 46.6%.

Erdogan bested Kılıçdaroğlu, the candidate for the secularist Republican People's Party (CHP), in the first vote on May 14, but narrowly failed to clear the 50% threshold needed to win outright, sending the country into a second round of voting.

President Isaac Herzog on Sunday evening congratulated Erdogan on his victory.

"Congratulations to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on his election victory. I am convinced that we will continue to work together to strengthen and expand the good ties between Turkey and Israel," said Herzog.