Ruling AKP opens office in Brussels

ISTANBUL

PM Erdoğan sees the new Brussels location as significant. Daily News Photo

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is set to open its first office abroad in the de facto EU capital Brussels, according to daily Sabah.

The move abroad is strongly supported by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who sees the new Brussels location as a significant element in Turkey’s relation with the union, daily Sabah reported.

The office, which will be the ruling party’s first one outside the Turkish borders, aims to strengthen the Turkish presence in the capital. The planning of the new office has been ongoing since early March.

AKP benches see the Brussels move as a way to carry the party’s messages better to the heart of the European Union. The offices will also strengthen the party’s lobbying attempts in the EU capital.

The new office was also prompted by the recent change in regulations, which allows nationals abroad to vote in elections and referendums.

Over 2.5 million Turkish nationals living in various European countries will no longer need to travel to Turkey to vote.