Turkish president looks ahead to AK Party changes

By Satuk Bugra Kutlugun

ANKARA

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said his Justice and Development (AK) Party's Central Executive Board will be decided after this week’s Brussels visit to attend a NATO leaders’ summit.

Taking journalists' questions in Ankara, Erdogan said he would make decisions about the ruling AK Party's future with the Central Executive Board and make an administrative plan that will carry on until the beginning of 2018.

Erdogan rejoined the AK Party at a special ceremony in the capital Ankara on May 2.

Under previous constitutional rules, a Turkish president could not hold membership of a political party. The April 16 referendum on constitutional reforms overturned that rule.

Spat with Austria

When asked about a recent initiative by the Turkish government to block Austria from NATO partnerships, Erdogan said: "Those who block, get blocked. Simple as that."

Turkey will veto Austria’s participation in some NATO activities so long as Vienna continues its “anti-Turkey stance” on EU platforms, a Turkish Foreign Ministry source told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday.

Relations between Turkey -- a NATO member since 1952 -- and Austria (a non-NATO country) have soured after Vienna voiced criticism against Ankara and its EU accession process.