Erdogan congratulates France's Macron on election win

By Emrah Guney

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday congratulated French President-elect Emmanuel Macron on his election victory, according to sources inside the Turkish presidency.

The sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Erdogan had held a telephone conversation with Macron.

During the call, Erdogan said the results of the French presidential election had increased hope for the future of the European Union.

The pair also discussed the importance of the relationship between Turkey and the EU, the sources added.

Macron and Erdogan also agreed to meet face-to-face at a NATO Summit scheduled for Brussels later this month.

The pro-EU centrist politician clinched a decisive win over far-right leader Marine Le Pen, winning 66.1 percent of the vote in Sunday’s election.

With this victory, Macron, 39, who was unknown three years ago and mocked by his country's politicians and media when he announced his presidential bid, became the youngest president of France's Fifth Republic.

The official result will be announced Wednesday.