EU's Barroso congratulates Erdogan on poll win

BRUSSELS, July 23 (Reuters) European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso congratulated Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan today on the election win of his Islamist-rooted AK Party (AKP) and noted his commitment to closer EU ties.

''This (victory) comes at an important moment for the people of Turkey as the country moves forward with political and economic reforms,'' Barroso said in a statement of the AKP's win in a parliamentary election yesterday.

''Prime Minister Erdogan has given his personal commitment to the sustained movement towards the European Union,'' Barroso added. Turkey began accession talks with the EU in 2005 despite broad public scepticism about its bid within the 27-member bloc.

Reuters SKB DS1213