Obama congratulates Erdogan on his histyoric election victory

US President Barack Obama yesterday telephoned Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan en route to Puerto Rico to congratulate him on the ruling party's victory in Sunday's elections, taking Erdogan to a third term with nearly 50 percent of the vote. "I congratulate you on your historic election victory," said Obama. Obama also expressed interest in further strengthening ties between Turkey and the US, and Erdogan thanked him for his good wishes. Erdogan reportedly added that he knows Obama has already started his reelection campaign for fall 2012 and wished him success.