ANKARA - President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Mehmet Ali Talat and former British foreign minister congratulated Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul on his presidential candidacy in separate phone conversations on Wednesday, diplomatic sources said.
European People`s Party (EPP) leader Wilfried Martens issued a message expressing his pleasure over Gul`s candidacy.
"I think Prime Minister Erdogan and the AK Party made an excellent choice by putting forward Foreign Minister Gul as the presidential candidate," Martens said in his message.
"Mr. Gul is perfectly qualified to become Turkey`s president and will be a great asset for his country and for the continuation of its European path," the EPP President stated.