Turkey praises presidential election in N.Macedonia

ANKARA

Turkish Foreign Ministry welcomed the "successful" completion of the second round of presidential elections held in North Macedonia on Sunday.

"We welcome that the second round of Presidential elections held in North Macedonia on 5 May was completed successfully," the ministry said in a statement late Sunday.

Turkey attaches great importance to the political unity, stability, and prosperity of North Macedonia, the statement read.

"We believe that the result of the Presidential elections will consolidate peace and stability in the country," it added.

The statement also said that Turkey will continue to work to further improve bilateral relations with North Macedonia in every area and to cooperate with regional countries to strengthen stability and prosperity in the Balkans.

Stevo Pendarovski, the candidate of the governing Social Democrats, has declared victory in Sunday's presidential runoff in North Macedonia.

Sunday's election is the sixth presidential election in the country's modern history, but the first since it made a momentous name change.

Last June, the country agreed to change its name in line with a deal under which Greece dropped its objection to North Macedonia joining NATO and the EU.