Abdullah Gul

Abdullah Gul
Saeima · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Abdullah Gul
Order	11th President of Turkey
Term start	August 28, 2007
Term end	August 28, 2014
Predecessor	Ahmet Necdet Sezer
Successor	Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Abdullah Gul is a Turkish politician who served as the President of Turkey from 2007 to 2014. He was a key figure in the Justice and Development Party and played a crucial role in shaping the country's foreign policy, particularly with regards to European Union membership and relations with neighboring countries such as Greece, Cyprus, and Syria. Gul's presidency was marked by significant events, including the 2008 general election and the 2013 protests. He worked closely with other world leaders, including Vladimir Putin of Russia, Barack Obama of the United States, and Angela Merkel of Germany.

● Early Life and Education

Abdullah Gul was born in Kayseri, Turkey, and graduated from the Istanbul University's faculty of economics. He later pursued his graduate studies at the London School of Economics and the University of Exeter, where he earned his Ph.D. in economics. Gul's academic background and research focused on Islamic economics and its applications in countries such as Iran, Pakistan, and Malaysia. He was influenced by the works of prominent economists, including Milton Friedman and Joseph Stiglitz, and was familiar with the economic policies of countries like China and India.

● Political Career

Gul's entry into politics began with his involvement in the Welfare Party, which was led by Necmettin Erbakan. He later became a founding member of the Justice and Development Party and served as the party's chairman from 2001 to 2007. During his tenure, the party won the 2002 general election and formed a government, with Gul serving as the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He played a key role in shaping Turkey's foreign policy, particularly with regards to its relations with the European Union, NATO, and countries such as France, United Kingdom, and Italy.

● Presidency

As the President of Turkey, Gul focused on promoting Turkish democracy and strengthening the country's institutions, including the Grand National Assembly and the Constitutional Court. He also played a key role in promoting Turkey's cultural diplomacy efforts, particularly through the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency and the Yunus Emre Institute. Gul worked closely with other world leaders, including Dmitry Medvedev of Russia, Nicolas Sarkozy of France, and Gordon Brown of the United Kingdom, to address global issues such as climate change and global financial crisis.

● Post-Presidency

After completing his term as President, Gul returned to public life and became involved in various initiatives, including the Turkish Industry and Business Association and the Turkish-German University. He has also been involved in various international organizations, including the Club de Madrid and the Nizami Ganjavi International Center, which aim to promote democracy and good governance in countries such as Ukraine, Egypt, and Tunisia. Gul has received numerous awards and honors, including the King Abdulaziz Medal from Saudi Arabia and the Order of the Golden Fleece from Georgia.

● Personal Life

Abdullah Gul is married to Hayrunnisa Gul and has two children. He is known for his interest in Sufism and has written extensively on the subject, particularly on the works of Rumi and Ibn Arabi. Gul has also been involved in various charitable initiatives, including the Turkish Red Crescent and the UNICEF, which aim to promote humanitarian aid and sustainable development in countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. He has worked closely with other prominent figures, including Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon, to address global challenges such as poverty and hunger.