Turkey's Constitutional Court decided not to close ruling Justice & Development (AK) Party. Six members of the court voted for closure of the political party while four others voted for depriving the party of the financial assistance, and one member voted for the rejection of the case.

"With its decision, the Constitutional Court have ended uncertainties before Turkey," Erdogan told reporters at the party headquarters in Ankara.

Erdogan said that his party tried to turn the trial process into an opportunity to strengthen Turkey's constitutional order, parliamentary democracy based on separation of forces, and social peace.

The Turkish prime minister said that the ruling party could not be expected to remain indifferent to a process that could harm political, social and economic stability and cause serious losses that were difficult to compensate, and that could deteriorate unity and solidarity.

"The AK Party acted with this responsibility, and we are pleased that our nation has not been made to face heavy costs," Erdogan said.

Erdogan said that the AK Party had never been the focal point of anti-secular acts, and also said that his party would go on preserving the fundamental principles of the Republic.

AA