EU's Rehn: "The AKP closure case is un acceptable for a country in EU membership talks"

In a statement reacting to a new case seeking the closure of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), European Union Term President Slovenia said yesterday it would follow developments in the process closely, adding that in resolving the case the choice of Turkish voters in last summer's general elections should be respected. In related news, German government deputy spokesperson Thomas Steg said, "The decision of the chief prosecutor of the Supreme Court of Appeals is incomprehensible, and we're concerned about it. The AKP is obviously a democratic party, and it won 47% of the votes in the July 2007 elections, clearly emerging as the most powerful party. Thus, the chief prosecutor's decision (to seek the AKP's closure) should be seen as a decision against the will of the Turkish people." EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said that the chief prosecutor's decision was incompatible with EU principles and is unacceptable for a country in the midst of EU membership negotiations. The Spanish Foreign Ministry also released a statement calling the closure case unjust and a cause for concern, adding that political issues shouldn't be resolved in courtrooms.