Socialist Group In E.P. On Gul's Election

BRUSSELS - The Socialist Group in the European Parliament (EP) welcomed on Tuesday election of Abdullah Gul as the new president of Turkey.
Releasing a statement, the group noted that "this election is totally democratic and should be respected by everybody in Turkey including the army".
The Group considers it (this election) as consolidation of Turkey's relations with Europe, the statement added.
On the other hand, Jan Marinus Wiersma, a member of the Socialist Group, said that "the fears that Gul would embark on a program to Islamize Turkey are exaggerated", and added, "however, we do expect Mr. Gul to continue to ensure the secular character of the Turkish state".