LONDON - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Monday he hoped that the stunning electoral victory of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan`s party would "bring Europe and Turkey closer".
Speaking at his monthly press conference at 10 Downing Street, Brown added that he hoped the Islamist-rooted party would press on with reforms.
"I hope that this will bring Europe and Turkey closer and I hope that the government will be able to continue pursuing its programme of reform which we both support and applaud," he told reporters.
He added of Erdogan: "I`ve already spoken to him, I look forward to meeting him soon, I think the Foreign Secretary (David Miliband) has already sent his good wishes to the new government."
The Turkish prime minister called a snap poll after the secularist opposition prevented his Justice and Development Party (AKP) from electing Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul as president amid fears over Islamist influence.
07/23/2007 11:58 GMT