YEREVAN, MAY 22, ARMENPRESS. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been re-elected as chairman of the ruling AK party (Justice and Development) on May 21 during an extraordinary congress. 1414 votes were cast in his favor, Turkish media reported.

In his remarks, the Turkish president mentioned that he has returned to the party after 998 days.

Speaking on the country’s state of emergency, he said: “People are asking when the state of emergency will be lifted. The state is being attempted to be destroyed, how can you ask something like that? It won’t be lifted till the situation isn’t calmed”.

Erdogan also commented on Turkey’s membership to the EU, saying : “We no longer have to tolerate the EU’s attitude ignoring the honor of our country. Either the EU keeps its promise to us, or each of us does as he wants”, he said, adding they prefer to continue the path with the EU regardless of anything.