REACTIONS -- Turk top court decides not to close AKP

KOKSAL TOPTAN, TURKISH PARLIAMENT SPEAKER

"This ruling raised the democracy bar to a higher level, a serious sense of relief will be felt in Turkey."

DENIZ BAYKAL, LEADER OF THE MAIN OPPOSITION REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY (CHP)

"Ten members defined the AKP as the focal point of anti-secular activities."

DEVLET BAHCELI, LEADER OF THE NATIONALIST MOVEMENT PARTY (MHP)

"Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the AKP administrators should take lessons and see that having problems with the constitutional order and the foundation principles of the state can jeopardize the democratic regime."

TURKISH GENERAL STAFF CHIEF, GEN. YASAR BUYUKANIT

"There had been no change in the view of the Turkish Armed Forces regarding secularism, and as a soldier, I could not be expected to comment on the decision of the top court."

ONUR OYMEN, CHP DEPUTY

"The consequence is important for the ruling party as the majority of the court members wanted the AKP to be closed. This is a meaningful warning for the ruling party."

MUSTAFA OZYUREK, CHP DEPUTY
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"The majority of the court decided that the AKP has become a hub of anti-secular activities. I hope the AKP starts acting in line with the principles of secularism after this verdict."

JAVIER SOLANA, EU FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF

"The ruling by the Turkish Constitutional Court not to ban the AKP is good news," Solana's spokeswoman said. "Turkey is leaving a tense situation and we very much hope that the decision by the court will contribute to restoring political stability."