ANKARA - "I will endeavor to be with people and to represent Turkey in the best way abroad if I am elected as president," Turkish Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul who was nominated as the candidate for president of Justice & Development Party (AKP) said on Tuesday.
Holding a press conference at the parliament, Gul said, "it is inevitable to act with the world from now on. It is a very important mission to represent this honorable nation abroad."
Reminded that his wife was wearing headscarf, Gul said, "this is an individual preference. Everybody should respect to personal choices. Rules of the constitution is very apparent. Turkey is a democratic, secular and social state of law. Everybody has fundamental rights and freedoms within democracy."
Responding to a question about his wife Hayrunnisa Gul`s application to European Court of Human Rights, Gul said Turkey was proud of granting the right to its citizens to appeal to ECHR. "This is an individual choice and we must all show respect," he added.
When asked if he thought of being the president when he first had entered the politics, Gul said "I never worked on plans. I tried to be open. I always worked in solidarity with my friends."