If we look at history, we will see that regimes which persecute [their people] do not remain standing.

The whole world is an open, free market. No state can exist without the others.

There is no moderate or immoderate Islam. Islam is Islam and that's it.

Turkey is the gateway to the east for Europe, and the gateway to Europe for the east. We have a bridging function that Europe shouldn't underestimate.

In Turkey the religious minorities have more rights than they do in Europe.

In this context, social consensus, and institutions that embody this consensus, must be made effective in order for democratization not to be abused as a provisional instrument to establish an anti-democratic regime

Turkey's path toward Europe started back in 1959, almost 50 years ago. But we have been pushed to the side ever since. Despite all the hurdles we will not deviate from our course towards Europe –- even by one step.