There exists an unmistakable demand in the Middle East and in the wider Muslim world for democratization.

I regard the endorsement of both the objective and a method - which can differ from one country to another- of democratization by the parties in the region as a basic requisite of democratization in the Middle East.

My visit to the United States has also given me the opportunity to emphasize the objective of establishing close and intensive links between the Turkish and American peoples, scholars and businessmen.

Similarly, it is argued that the culture of Islam is incompatible with democracy. Basically, this conventional perspective of the Middle East thus contends that democracy in that region is neither possible nor even desirable.

But foremost, I do not subscribe to the view that Islamic culture and democracy cannot be reconciled.

I should like to repeat what I stated recently in the Jeddah Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia: It won't be the religion, but rather the world-view of some of its followers that shall be made current.

The Muslim world and its subset the countries of the Middle East have been left behind in the marathon of political, economic and human development. For that, there is a tendency to blame others as the primary cause.

The US and the European Union needs to help in the translation of the demand for democracy into a political will.

A confidence problem exists on the part of the people of the region who desire democratic rule in principle, but remain suspicious of both the fashion with which democratization is presented and the purposes of the democratic world.

It is essential that policy instruments be developed that would firmly establish democratization on the basis of social consensus and enable transformation on stable grounds.

In other words, the bar should be maintained at the level of a pluralistic and participatory democracy.

The purpose cannot be creating self-styled democracies, but rather encouraging steps that are conducive to establishing democratic rule at universal standards. Obviously, this would be a formidable journey.

Similarly, gender-equality, supremacy of law, political participation, civil society, and transparency are among the indispensable elements that are the imperatives of democratization.

So far, I have not come to any of the positions that I have filled through wanting to be there. I was sought - people wanted me to come to those posts. I am talking about all my positions: mayor of Istanbul, chairman of the party, prime minister.

In the process of the Arab Spring, we have unfortunately seen a development in Syria where the regime has been oppressing its people.

Time to time I get together with the rabbis, with religious leaders, leaders of congregations, and I talk to them, and wherever a need arises, we do everything we can to meet those needs.

If you think you can finish ISIS off with the PYD and YPG, you cannot, because they are terrorist groups as well.

We are concerned that Germany, which has protected the PKK and DHKP-C for years, has become the backyard of the Gulenist terror organisation.

Being in the European Union, we would be building bridges between the 1.5 bn people of Muslim world to the non-Muslim world. They have to see this. If they ignore it, it brings weakness to the E.U.

Jerusalem is holy to three religions. You have to respect that.

The PKK is the number one threat in terms of terror in our country.

If everyone can say, looking at Obama, that is he is one of us, is that not befitting for the leading country in the world?

Russia is not engaged in a fight against Daesh in Syria. On the contrary, they are actually targeting moderate opposition.

A federated structure in Iraq based on ethnicity or religious sects will not be healthy.

Attempts by one ethnic group to exercise sovereignty over another are not fair. It doesn't matter if that ethnicity is Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic, Chaldean or whatever.

If the European Union wants to be an address where civilizations meet, it must take Turkey in.

Once the people of Iraq know when the U.S. troops will leave, their confidence in the U.S. will increase.

Russia and Iran back Assad, but are they fighting Daesh? The answer is 'no.'

We have to fight all terrorist groups, and not arm one to fight another.

Engaging in actions which are not allowed by law should have certain prices to pay.

We have extradited terrorists to the United States in the past. And we expect the same thing to be done by the United States.

Why shouldn't Turkey be in the Shanghai Five?

Democracy is like a streetcar. When you come to your stop, you get off.

Islam is a religion. It is not an ideology. For a Muslim, there is no such thing as to be against modernity. Why should a Muslim not be a modern person? I, as a Muslim, fulfill all the requirements of my religion, and I live in a democratic, social state.

Every country needs a strong leader in order to progress.

Islamophobia emerged from the Western countries, and this is a challenge that we all together need to surmount.

If you're the leader, you have to communicate the message of immortality to your people. Because I believe if a leader hides behind a rock, then the people will hide behind a mountain.

We, as Turkey, call on Europe to respect human rights and democracy.

If we believe in a democratic system, we have to accept the will of the people.

We have never done anything to stop freedom of expression or freedom of press.

There is no difference, where aims are concerned, between a terrorist with a gun and bomb in his hand and a terrorist who has dollars, euros, and interest rates.

Your targets can only be realized on the basis of dreams.

Turkey is a sovereign state, just like the U.S. We might go to different directions, in terms of our impressions and ideas, but we'll always remain friends.

The E.U. should want Turkey to be part of it.

I cannot deceive my people.

The foundations of democratic transition should be laid in accordance with a sincere and committed strategy that is supported by various policy tools, and implemented wisely.

Nazism is still widespread in the West.

I am aware of the thesis that the United States has long since invested exclusively in stability and this has obviated democratic transformation in the Middle East.

Turkey will be in Cyprus forever.

All terror groups are bad, and we shall fight them all.