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Obama seeks stronger Turkish ties Obama seeks stronger Turkish ties
(10 minutes later)
During his first visit to a mainly Muslim state, US President Barack Obama has urged Turkey to help bridge the gap between the Muslim and Western worlds.During his first visit to a mainly Muslim state, US President Barack Obama has urged Turkey to help bridge the gap between the Muslim and Western worlds.
Mr Obama said his trip was a statement of the importance of Turkey to the US, at a news conference in Ankara with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul.Mr Obama said his trip was a statement of the importance of Turkey to the US, at a news conference in Ankara with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul.
He is hoping to revitalise ties with Turkey, which have deteriorated in recent years over the war in Iraq.He is hoping to revitalise ties with Turkey, which have deteriorated in recent years over the war in Iraq.
On Sunday, Mr Obama voiced his support for Turkey's efforts to join the EU.On Sunday, Mr Obama voiced his support for Turkey's efforts to join the EU.
He told reporters on the flight to Ankara that Turkey's accession would send an important signal to the Muslim world and firmly anchor it within Europe.He told reporters on the flight to Ankara that Turkey's accession would send an important signal to the Muslim world and firmly anchor it within Europe.
Obama is a seducer, in the nicest possible way of course. He smiles and refers to himself as Hussein and does all the other things that make Europeans swoon. Then he has his way. Or does he...? Justin WebbBBC North America editor Webb's America: Seducer-in-chief Obama is a seducer, in the nicest possible way of course. He smiles and refers to himself as Hussein and does all the other things that make Europeans swoon. Then he has his way. Or does he...? Justin WebbBBC North America editor Webb's America: Seducer-in-chief
Before his visit, the US leader attended a Nato summit in France, where he helped to overcome Turkey's objection to Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's appointment as the alliance's next secretary general.Before his visit, the US leader attended a Nato summit in France, where he helped to overcome Turkey's objection to Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's appointment as the alliance's next secretary general.
Turkey had initially blocked his appointment because he had defended the right of one of his country's newspapers to publish controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, which caused widespread anger among Muslims.Turkey had initially blocked his appointment because he had defended the right of one of his country's newspapers to publish controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, which caused widespread anger among Muslims.
But Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Mr Obama's support had helped to assuage his country's concerns.But Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Mr Obama's support had helped to assuage his country's concerns.
On Monday, Mr Rasmussen promised to pay close attention to religious sensibilities when he takes over the job in August.On Monday, Mr Rasmussen promised to pay close attention to religious sensibilities when he takes over the job in August.
'Set of strategies''Set of strategies'
Correspondents say security has been extremely tight for Mr Obama's visit, which began in the capital Ankara on Monday and will later move on to Istanbul.Correspondents say security has been extremely tight for Mr Obama's visit, which began in the capital Ankara on Monday and will later move on to Istanbul.
Snipers and riot police have been deployed and military aircraft are patrolling a no-fly zone. Mobile phone signal jammers have also been activated along routes that the president will travel.Snipers and riot police have been deployed and military aircraft are patrolling a no-fly zone. Mobile phone signal jammers have also been activated along routes that the president will travel.
At the beginning of his visit on Monday, Mr Obama laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of the modern Turkish state, whose "vision, tenacity and courage" he praised.At the beginning of his visit on Monday, Mr Obama laid a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of the modern Turkish state, whose "vision, tenacity and courage" he praised.
OBAMA'S TRANSATLANTIC VISIT 2 April: G20 summit in London3 April: Obama meets Sarkozy in France and Merkel in Germany4 April: Leaders hold Nato summit in Strasbourg5 April: Obama in Prague for US-EU summit6-7 April: Obama visits Turkey The Obama effect reaches Nato Mark Mardell: Ideal backdrop OBAMA'S TRANSATLANTIC VISIT 2 April: G20 summit in London3 April: Obama meets Sarkozy in France and Merkel in Germany4 April: Leaders hold Nato summit in Strasbourg5 April: Obama in Prague for US-EU summit6-7 April: Obama visits Turkey The Obama effect reaches Nato Mark Mardell: Ideal backdrop
He then travelled to the presidential palace in Ankara for talks with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul.He then travelled to the presidential palace in Ankara for talks with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul.
After the meeting, Mr Obama told a news conference that they had discussed the need for the US-Turkish partnership to address regional challenges like the threat from terrorism, the war in Afghanistan and the Middle East peace process.After the meeting, Mr Obama told a news conference that they had discussed the need for the US-Turkish partnership to address regional challenges like the threat from terrorism, the war in Afghanistan and the Middle East peace process.
He told reporters he wanted to "make a statement about the importance of Turkey, not just to the United States, but to the world", describing it as a blend of "ancient traditions with the modern nation state that respects democracy".He told reporters he wanted to "make a statement about the importance of Turkey, not just to the United States, but to the world", describing it as a blend of "ancient traditions with the modern nation state that respects democracy".
"It gives me confidence that moving forward, not only are we going to be able to improve our bilateral relations, but as we work together we are going to be able to shape a set of strategies that can bridge the divide between the Muslim world and the West, that can make us more prosperous and more secure," he added."It gives me confidence that moving forward, not only are we going to be able to improve our bilateral relations, but as we work together we are going to be able to shape a set of strategies that can bridge the divide between the Muslim world and the West, that can make us more prosperous and more secure," he added.
Mr Obama later stood by his 2008 assertion that the killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915 constituted "genocide" - without repeating the word - but said he had been encouraged by recent talks between Turkey and Armenia.Mr Obama later stood by his 2008 assertion that the killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915 constituted "genocide" - without repeating the word - but said he had been encouraged by recent talks between Turkey and Armenia.
The issue remains highly sensitive between the governments of Armenia and Turkey, which denies those killed were victims of systematic genocide, and as prevented normal diplomatic relations between them for many years.The issue remains highly sensitive between the governments of Armenia and Turkey, which denies those killed were victims of systematic genocide, and as prevented normal diplomatic relations between them for many years.
During his presidential election campaign, Mr Obama said the "Armenian genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence".During his presidential election campaign, Mr Obama said the "Armenian genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence".
Later, addressing the Turkish parliament, the US president said that while Turkey and his country had not always agreed on everything, the two states were stronger when they acted together. He said Turkey and the US must listen to each other and seek common ground.
'Mutual respect''Mutual respect'
The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Ankara says the fact that Mr Obama chose to come to Turkey on only his second purely bilateral visit has been welcomed as a sign that he wants to re-engage with it.The BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Ankara says the fact that Mr Obama chose to come to Turkey on only his second purely bilateral visit has been welcomed as a sign that he wants to re-engage with it.
Several groups have been demonstrating against the visitSeveral groups have been demonstrating against the visit
Public support for the US dropped to a record low during the Bush administration, fuelled mostly by fierce opposition to the invasion of Iraq, our correspondent says.Public support for the US dropped to a record low during the Bush administration, fuelled mostly by fierce opposition to the invasion of Iraq, our correspondent says.
Speaking in Prague on Sunday, Mr Obama said Turkey's entry into the EU would help to consolidate its position as a Western nation.Speaking in Prague on Sunday, Mr Obama said Turkey's entry into the EU would help to consolidate its position as a Western nation.
"The United States and Europe must approach Muslims as our friends, neighbours and partners in fighting injustice, intolerance and violence, forging a relationship based on mutual respect and mutual interest," he said."The United States and Europe must approach Muslims as our friends, neighbours and partners in fighting injustice, intolerance and violence, forging a relationship based on mutual respect and mutual interest," he said.
But French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it was up to the EU itself to decide who joined the bloc - and that he had always been personally opposed to Turkey's entry.But French President Nicolas Sarkozy said it was up to the EU itself to decide who joined the bloc - and that he had always been personally opposed to Turkey's entry.
The EU agreed to open accession talks with Ankara in 2004, but in recent years Turkey has made little progress with democratic reforms which would improve its chances of membership.The EU agreed to open accession talks with Ankara in 2004, but in recent years Turkey has made little progress with democratic reforms which would improve its chances of membership.
Are you in the region? What do you think of Obama's backing of Turkey's EU bid? You can send us your views using the form below:Are you in the region? What do you think of Obama's backing of Turkey's EU bid? You can send us your views using the form below:
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