Barack Obama praises the ties between the US and Turkey

President Barack Obama has stressed the importance of restoring US ties with the Muslim world. In a speech to Turkey's parliament, Mr Obama indicated that a partnership with the Middle East would be based on "mutual interests and mutual respect", adding that the US was in support of the development of a Palestinian state. Hoping to repair the political damage caused by the invasion of Iraq and war in Afghanistan, he said: "Let me say this as clearly as I can. The United States is not at war with Islam. In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical in rolling back a fringe ideology that people of all faiths reject. "But I also want to be clear that America's relationship with the Muslim world cannot and will not be based on opposition to al-Qaeda. Far from it. We seek broad engagement based upon mutual interests and mutual respect. We will listen carefully, bridge misunderstanding, and seek common ground." Referencing his country's hopes for an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mr Obama added: "The United States strongly supports the goal of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security." At an earlier news conference with Turkish president Abdullah Gul, he called on Turkey to be an ally in restoring the partnership between the Muslim and Western worlds. He also reiterated that the US was in favour of Turkey's bid to join the European Union. He said: "Europe gains by diversity of ethnicity, tradition and faith - it is not diminished by it. And Turkish membership would broaden and strengthen Europe's foundation once more." The US president earlier laid a wreath at the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey and its first president. He then headed to Ankara for talks with President Gul before attending the parliamentary meeting. He will next travel to Istanbul for the Alliance of Civilisations, a forum backed by Turkey and Spain to promote understanding between the Western and Islamic worlds. Thousands of anti-US protesters demonstrated against Mr Obama's visit in Turkey's capital, ahead of his arrival.

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ITN | April 6, 2009

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