Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, who was just nominated by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) as candidate for the forthcoming presidential elections, on Tuesday vowed commitment to principles of secularism, democracy and social state. Gul made the pledge at a press conference at the parliament after Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the leader of the AKP, announced the nomination. ‘The president must be loyal to the fundamental principles of the Republic, as stated in the constitution, to the principles of secularism, democracy, social state and rule of law,’ said Gul, adding that if he got elected he would act accordingly. He said he had just officially applied to the parliament as a formal candidate and he believes his friends would support his candidacy. He added that he would meet the leaders of all political parties in the following days. The incumbent foreign minister also noted the public unequivocally knew that Prime Minister Erdogan chose not to run for president by his own will. Turkey’s parliament, which is dominated by lawmakers from Erdogan’s party, will elect the successor next month to President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, a staunchly pro-secular president, whose seven- year-term […]