We'll eradicate Twitter. I don't care what the international community says. Everyone will witness the power of the Turkish Republic. There is now a scourge that is called Twitter. The best examples of lies can be found there. To me, social media is the worst menace to society. They came to me with this case of Twitter ignoring case of smeared housewife. I said, let's solve this.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganSimilarly, 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
Recep Tayyip ErdoganIf Twitter, Youtube & Facebook will be honest; if they'll stop being so immoral, stop attacking families, we'll support them
Recep Tayyip ErdoganInvariably, also a Palestinian state should live side by side with Israel within recognized and secure borders and the security and prosperity of the Palestinian people must be guaranteed
Recep Tayyip ErdoganI am a person who is inclined to define relations between individuals based on principles.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganI 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.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganWe are seeing with great grief that America remains quiet as Turkey struggles against terrorism. Because there were promises given to us, and they need to be kept. If not, we can take care of our own business.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganThe whole world is an open, free market. No state can exist without the others.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganIt is not a process of bargaining or give-and-take. The peace process is not about giving concessions. We will not allow any step which would hurt the memories of our martyrs.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganEven in the Western world, one cannot argue that the ideal has been achieved given the existence of issues like the integration, participation and representation of Muslim citizens, and occasional but lingering anti-Semitism.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganTherefore, the observation must be explicitly made: In the Middle East and in the Muslim world, suspicions linger concerning the objectives of the West and notably the US.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganIs Europe a home for an alliance of civilizations or is it a Christian club? If the former is true, then Turkey should be part of it.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganIf an individual is a terrorist, then you should not be promoting those people and putting them under a good light, if you will, and promoting to the young generation to come. That will only be spoiling the young generation.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganOur bilateral relations and our agreement [between Turkey and America] on the extradition of criminals should dominate and precede actually any inclusion into any list.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganSimilarly, gender-equality, supremacy of law, political participation, civil society, and transparency are among the indispensable elements that are the imperatives of democratization.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganEven as we ought to accept that each country would progress with a different method and speed toward that goal, the standard for the expected end-state should not be lowered.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganThey cry press freedom, but (the raids) have nothing to do with it. We have no concern about what the EU might say, whether the EU accepts us as members or not, we have no such concern. Please keep your wisdom to yourself.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganI went back in British history. Some 204 people died there after a mine collapsed in 1838. In 1866, 361 miners died in Britain. In an explosion in 1894, 290 people died there.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganI 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.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganTherefore, the question is not whether such democratization is possible, but instead how to meet the yearning of the masses in the Middle East for democracy; in other words, how to achieve democratization in the Middle East
Recep Tayyip ErdoganIf we look at history, we will see that regimes which persecute [their people] do not remain standing.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganA 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.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganWhen there is no such thing as religious culture and moral education, serious social problems such as drug addiction and racism fill the gap.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganParamount is the need to secure human rights. The form of rule should be such that the citizen does not have to fear the State, but gives it direction and confidently participates in its administration.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganTurkey wants to be treated by the same standards as other countries. If you compare us to some other newly accepted EU members our performance, especially in terms of the economy, is much better.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganA fitting external security environment could also play an important role in promoting social consensus and institutionalization towards democratization.
Recep Tayyip ErdoganWhen we strengthen our relations with the Gulf states, when we cooperate with the Arabs, everybody asks if we are looking for a new geopolitical place. But in the Middle East and the Gulf, you can find German, French and British goods everywhere. German relations to these states are very good, as are English and French relations. Does this make them Arab-oriented?
Recep Tayyip ErdoganI 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
Recep Tayyip ErdoganIf during their education our youths become alienated from their language, history, ancestors, culture and civilization, it means there is a very serious educational problem there.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan