Erdogan: "The AKP will continue to pursue its course"

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday met with his Cabinet Ministers. Following the almost two-hour gathering, he spoke to his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) parliamentary group about the new closure case against the party. No statements were made after either gathering. Then the premier met with his visiting Estonian counterpart Andrus Ansip. In a joint press conference, Erdogan said he and Ansip they had discussed political, military, commercial and cultural ties as well as regional and international matters. "We also discussed the Cyprus issue, and I had the chance to tell Ansip our views and expectations," he said. Erdogan also praised a recent visit by Estonian parliamentarians to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Ansip is also set to attend a Turkish-Estonian Information and Communication Technology Forum in Istanbul, Erdogan said. Asked about the closure case, the premier said, "It is a judicial process. Necessary steps will be taken in this process. Our colleagues are working on the matter." He added, "Forty-seven percent of the people voted in favor of AKP in last summer's general elections. This shows that the people approve of our party's policies. There's no need for concern. We will continue walking our course hand in hand."