Opposition candidate İhsanoğlu meets President Gül in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu met with Gül in the presidential residence in Istanbul’s Tarabya neighborhood July 3 for around 50 minutes. AA Photo

Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, the joint presidential candidate of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), met with Turkish President Abdullah Gül July 3 as part of his campaign bid, telling reporters that it was a positive meeting.

İhsanoğlu met with Gül in the presidential residence in Istanbul’s Tarabya neighborhood July 3 for around 50 minutes. The meeting was closed to the press.

İhsanoğlu told reporters that it was a very positive meeting and that Gül had wished him well during the meeting.

İhsanoğlu, the former head of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and an academic, also said he had a long-term friendship with Gül.

“[Gül] is an experienced statesman. He gained significant experience during his presidential post. I have paid a courtesy visit to him. Also we shared opinions about the different issues of our country. We had a useful meeting, especially about foreign policy issues,” said İhsanoğlu, adding that he was pleased about the meeting.  

İhsanoğlu also met with the president of the Turkish Industrial and Business Association (TÜSİAD), Haluk Dinçer, before his meeting with Gül.

İhsanoğlu congratulated Dinçer on his new post as TÜSİAD head during their meeting.

“The president should be in constant consultation with the NGOs in the country,” said İhsanoğlu during his meeting at TÜSİAD. He also said he was content with the attention paid by the NGOs on his candidacy for the presidential post.

Meanwhile, İhsanoğlu will visit the Aegean province of Aydın on July 7, when he will visit the grave of Yörük Ali Efe, one of the heroes of the War of Independence. He will also meet with Aydın Gov. Erol Ayyıldız and Aydın Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu.