Quotes by Recep Tayyip Erdogan

“My wish is this -- the world is using resources for armaments, they should also put aside resources for such disasters,”

“We will do whatever is possible to assist you in this crisis,”

“If everybody knows what his or her duty is then we will be more beneficial to our country. Everyone should know his or her place and duty, and fulfill what he or she is obliged to do thereby.”

“Bird flu is totally under control, ... The outbreak ... occurred in one area and has been contained. Of course, we need to be careful, we need to do our homework well.”

“What did this person become famous for? ... We have programs at the moment that follow a trend that contradicts the traditions and family structure of Turkey, which is a country with a 98 percent Muslim population. I am worried about this.”

“We know of the nature of the regime in Syria. We constantly try to inspire them toward more democracy, but playing with Syria would be dangerous and could prove to be a worse situation than Iraq.”

“We passed the most important phase on the way to reaching our 40-year goal and the founding principles of our republic, ... The document is satisfactory. I am happy to say that common sense prevailed.”

“end up a Christian club.”

“We have taken another giant step in our march toward Europe, ... The journey will be fraught with difficulties, and should Europe abide by its promises ? our success will then largely depend on you, the Turkish people.”

“[Turkey seized on the German result to call on its opponents in Europe to] reconsider ... It was an auspicious result for the EU process. It was a campaign which proved how negative it was to offer privileged partnership to Turkey. This surprise result ... should lead politicians to rethink their policies.”

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

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

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

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.

A political party cannot have a religion. Only individuals can. Otherwise, youd be exploiting religion, and religion is so supreme that it cannot be exploited or taken advantage of.

A lasting solution to this problem will have an exceptionally positive influence foremost on the peoples of Palestine and Israel, as well as on the region and the international community.

It is impossible to preserve my friendship with people who are allegedly leaders when they are attacking their own people, shooting at them, using tanks and other forms of heavy weaponry.

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

My legal bond with the A.K.P. may have ended the day I took the presidential oath of office, but my bonds of love have never ended and never will.