The European Union (EU) on Wednesday called on all political parties in Turkey to respect the Constitutional Court ruling on the annulment of last Friday's presidential election.

"Regardless of the unfortunate events leading to the ruling, this legal decision by the Constitutional Court should now be respected by all parties," said EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn in a statement.

"The respect of state institutions is essential to ensure political stability."

He indicated that Turkey's EU membership depends on Ankara's respect of a string of fundamental principles on which the EU was founded on: liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, and the supremacy of democratic civilian power over the military.

"If a country wants to become a member of the union, it needs to respect these principles."

Turkey's Constitutional Court ruled on Tuesday that last Friday 's first round presidential elections by the parliament was invalid as less than two thirds of legislators voted.

Opposition legislators boycotted the vote for the sole candidate, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul of the ruling AK party, for fears that his election would jeopardize secularism in the country.

The ruling party is now pushing for early general elections and an amendment of the Constitution to allow popular vote for the president.

Rehn said the European Commission, the executive body of the EU, welcomes the announcement of holding new parliamentary elections soon.

He said the commission expects that the parliamentary and presidential elections will be carried out democratically without any undue interference, and in an atmosphere of responsible debate and political stability.

EU and Turkey opened accession talks in October 2005.

Source: Xinhua