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That is one of the reasons why we advocate for good relations between the two countries. Turkey understands the needs of the region.

I have had it up to here with the prosecutions, the government's attitude, the judiciary, the media's stance and the majority of Turks who view the Kurdish people's justified cause through a nationalist lens.

It is beneficial for Turkish democracy that not all religious conservatives are united under one banner.

If one has problems with immigrant communities in Europe, that should not be used against Turkey.

Regardless of our ambitions to become part of the E.U., we have to keep in mind that Turkey is also a very strong voice that can represent the needs of our region in wider terms in global platforms.

I see Turkey's future as being in Europe, as one of many prosperous, tolerant, democratic countries.

I don't think nationalism is alone holding the field; it's in contention with a lot of different things.

No Muslim country has ever done as much as Turkey to make itself over in the image of a European nation-state; the country's westernised elite brutally imposed secularism, among other things, on its devout population of peasants.

Turkey is immersed in a profound social and political conflict between secularists, who have been in power since the republic was founded, and an insurgent Islamic-based movement that seeks to increase the role of religion in public life.

As the United States shapes and carries out its policies toward Muslim countries, it should do so with Turkey at its side.