In Strasbourg, PACE's Puig express EU's concerns over AKP closure case

If the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is closed by court order, there will be serious consequences, said Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) President Lluis Maria de Puig yesterday. Speaking at the opening of PACE's summer session in Strasbourg, Puig said the EU expects the Turkish judiciary to do its duty in line with the Union's democratic values, and that on Thursday PACE will hold a debate about recent developments in the functioning of Turkey's democratic institutions. "In any democracy, it's normal for people to have different ideas and views," he added. "The main thing is that disputes are settled through democratic means, in line with Council of Europe values. I hope that Turkish institutions will fulfill their responsibilities in this area. But we, too, have a responsibility, namely to provide Turkey with a clear, unequivocal European perspective."