January 30, Pozirk. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan wished Alaksandar Łukašenka success in office after the latter was declared winner in Belarus’ seventh presidential election on January 21-26, the Belarusian ruler’s press office reports.
The Turkish leader’s message expressed hope for strengthening political, economic and humanitarian ties.
The same source also reported a congratulatory message for Łukašenka from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain and Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the crown prince and prime minister.
Łukašenka met Erdoğan in October 2022 on the sidelines of a regional summit in Kazakhstan’s Astana. Later, the Belarusian ruler announced his visit to Turkey, but it has not yet taken place.
Belarus’ seventh presidential election was marred by politically-motivated reprisals targeting the opposition and regime critics. Australia, Canada, the European Union, New Zealand, Ukraine and the United Kingdom have already dismissed it as a sham.
So far, leaders of at least 19 countries, including Azerbaijan, China, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Russia, Serbia, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Vietnam, congratulated Łukašenka.
