Turkish PM vows to press on with EU bid

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Source: CCTV.com | 07-23-2007 09:20

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (2nd R), flanked by his wife Emine Erdogan (R) and Foreign Minister and his party's presidential candidate Abdullah Gul (2nd L) and wife Hayrunnisa, greets his ruling AK Party supporters from the balcony of his party headquarters in Ankara July 22, 2007. REUTERS/Fatih Saribas

Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to press on with the country's bid to join the European Union.

Erdogan made the statement after voters gave his ruling AK Party a fresh five-year mandate in Sunday's parliamentary election. He said the AK Party will continue democratic reforms and economic development. He reiterated that his party will continue to crack down on terrorism.

Meanwhile, pro-Kurdish politicians will enter Turkey's parliament for the first time in more than a decade, as independent candidates received sufficient votes. Kurds hope that by taking their battle for more cultural and political rights to parliament, they can halt the violence.

Editor:Du Xiaodan