Putin wishes Turkish counterpart Erdogan happy birthday

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday congratulated his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his 65th birthday.

In a phone conversation, Putin stressed Erdogan's personal contribution to the strengthening of Turkish-Russian relations.

The two leaders also discussed preparations for the eighth meeting of the High-Level Russian-Turkish Cooperation Council, set for April in Moscow.

Aleksandar Vucic, Serbia's president, also extended happy birthday wishes to Erdogan, expressing great respect for his devoted work.

His work "is respected not only by the citizens of your country, but also by many beyond its borders," said Vucic.

Vucic also pointed to growing Serbian-Turkish relations.

"I am pleased that they are in constant growth, with an increasingly intense political dialogue and ever-expanding economic cooperation.

Vucic also invited Erdogan to visit to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"It will be a great honor for me to host you back again in Serbia, in order to celebrate together a significant jubilee -- 140 years from the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries," he said.

People worldwide send Erdogan birthday wishes

Fahrettin Altun, the Turkish presidency's communication director, shared a video on social media of people from countries worldwide celebrating Erdogan's birthday.

"The name of the commitment to the nation, the name of the continued struggle, the voice of the oppressed, world leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan," said Altun.

From Britain to Georgia, from Mauritania to Somalia and Senegal, many people sent birthday wishes to Erdogan, saying, "Long live Uncle Tayyip," "Happy birthday, Grandfather Tayyip," and "We love you, grandfather Tayyip."