Recep Tayyip Erdogan Quotes

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About Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, born on February 26, 1954, in Ruma, Turkey, serves as a significant political figure both domestically and internationally, holding the dual roles of President (since 2014) and former Prime Minister (three terms from 2003 to 2014). Born into a humble family with roots in rural Rumi, Erdoğan's early years were marked by hardship. However, his education played a crucial role in shaping his future. He studied at Imam Hatip schools, which emphasized Islamic studies and modern education. In 1978, he graduated from the Department of Business Administration at Marmara University. Politically active since the 1960s, Erdoğan co-founded the Welfare Party (RP), a party that aimed to implement conservative democratic reforms in line with political Islam. The RP was closed down by the Turkish military following a series of coups, leading Erdoğan to establish the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2001, which won a landslide victory in the general elections that year. Under his leadership, Turkey experienced rapid economic growth and membership in the European Union seemed within reach. However, tensions with the EU and internal conflicts over freedom of speech and human rights have been prominent issues. Erdoğan's rule has also been characterized by a significant consolidation of power, including constitutional changes that expanded presidential powers. Quotes from Recep Tayyip Erdoğan often reflect his strong political stance: "Democracy cannot be imposed from outside. It is something that people themselves must bring to life." and "I always consider our history as a treasure chest. Every period has its own wealth, and we should use it wisely." These quotes encapsulate his belief in the power of the Turkish people and the importance of preserving national identity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Our nation does not forget, our nation forgives, but does not forget."

This quote conveys a complex blend of compassion and vigilance. It suggests that Turkey's people are capable of forgiveness, yet they do not forget the past wrongs done to them. This implies a readiness to move on from past conflicts while retaining a memory of injustices as a means to ensure history does not repeat itself. It also underscores the resilience and wisdom of the Turkish nation, suggesting that they learn from their experiences without harboring resentment or vengeance.

"We have neither a past nor a future without Palestine."

This quote emphasizes that Turkey's identity, both historically and as a vision for the future, is deeply intertwined with the issue of Palestine. It suggests a strong emotional and political bond between Turkey and the Palestinian people, where their struggle for self-determination is seen as integral to Turkey's own values and national interests. This sentiment underscores a shared history, cultural ties, and mutual sympathy, as well as a commitment to upholding the rights of the Palestinian people in Turkey's foreign policy agenda.

"Turkey is not a candidate country for joining the EU, but rather a member that was forced out."

This quote suggests that Recep Tayyip Erdogan views Turkey as having been historically integrated with the European Union (EU), but due to various factors, such as political disagreements or policy differences, he feels Turkey has been unfairly excluded or marginalized from full EU membership. In essence, he is expressing a sense of injustice and resentment towards what he perceives as an unjustified exclusion of Turkey from the EU.

"Democracy cannot be imposed from outside; it can only take root in the hearts of people."

The quote by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan asserts that true democracy isn't something that can be forced or implemented externally, but rather it must grow organically within the hearts and minds of a people. This means that for democracy to thrive, it needs to be embraced wholeheartedly by its citizens, nurturing a culture of respect for individual rights, freedom of expression, and rule of law – principles that are essential for a functioning democratic society.

"In unity there is strength, in diversity there is beauty."

This quote emphasizes the power that unity brings, as well as the aesthetic appeal of diversity. It suggests that when people come together united, they can collectively achieve more and be stronger. Simultaneously, it acknowledges the richness and charm inherent in the variety and differences among individuals or groups, highlighting that this diversity adds beauty to any society or environment.

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

East, Wider, Democratization, Unmistakable

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Country, Endorsement, Which, Democratization

Therefore, 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 Erdogan

Question, Middle, Other, Democratization

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Law, Participation, Democratization

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Desire, Principle, Which, Democratization

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Social, Firmly, Developed, Democratization

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Social, Provisional, Regime, Democratization

A fitting external security environment could also play an important role in promoting social consensus and institutionalization towards democratization.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Play, Role, Promoting, Democratization

The members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria are also part of the Syrian people, and they have the right to exercise their democratic rights.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Muslim, Part, Syria, Syrian

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Law, Which, Allowed, Engaging

Everyone should unconditionally accept that Israel is an indispensable element of the Middle Eastern mosaic.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Eastern, Unconditionally, Middle Eastern

The fact that a woman is attached to her professional life should not prevent her from being a mother.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Prevent, Professional Life, Attached

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

View, Subscribe, Islamic, Reconciled

Family planning, birth control, no Muslim family can practice such an understanding.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Planning, Practice, Muslim, Family Planning

Before anything else, I'm a Muslim. As a Muslim, I try to comply with the requirements of my religion. I have a responsibility to God, who created me, and I try to fulfill that responsibility. But I try now very much to keep this away from my political life, to keep it private.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Private, Muslim, Very, Comply

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Ethnic, Over, Not Fair, Sovereignty

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Challenge, Need, Emerged, Western Countries

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Help, Will, Needs, Translation

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Through, Wanting, About, Istanbul

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

United, United States, Given, Businessmen

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Need, Needs, Religious, Arises

During the Gezi protests and PKK terror campaigns, the unity and solidarity of the Turkish nation were attacked.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Unity, Terror, Campaigns, Protests

Those who claim we buy oil from Daesh are obliged to prove it. If not, you are slanderer.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Prove, Buy, Obliged, Claim

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Dreams, Realized, Only, Targets

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Some, Like, Rather, Forum

Nazism is still widespread in the West.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

West, Still, Widespread

Even 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 Erdogan

Participation, Been, Given, Lingering

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Fight, Another, Groups, Arm

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Committed, Laid, Accordance, Wisely

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Development, Behind, Been, Primary

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Love, May, Took, Presidential

I am a person who is inclined to define relations between individuals based on principles.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

I Am, Person, Based, Relations

As a politician who cherishes religious conviction in his personal sphere, but regards politics as a domain belonging outside religion, I believe that this view is seriously flawed.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Politics, Religious, Sphere

However, democracy cannot be defined as the existence of parliaments and elections alone.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Alone, Existence, However, Defined

It is obvious that putting the Arab-Israeli dispute on a resolution track would be an important element of overcoming the confidence problem in the region.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Confidence, Dispute, Putting, Overcoming

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Middle, United States, Am, Stability

What should be targeted is a concept of organic, and not just mechanic, democracy that preserves the rule of law, separation of powers, and that is participatory and pluralistic.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Law, Mechanic, Concept, Organic

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Will, Exceptionally, International

We of course define all terror organizations as threats, but the PKK is the primary threat.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Define, Course, Terror, Primary

I consider personally the election of Barack Hussein Obama to have very great symbolic meaning. A Muslim and a Christian name - so in his name there is a synthesis, although people from time to time want to overlook that, and they do it intentionally.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Muslim, Very, Hussein, From Time To Time

Paramount 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 Erdogan

Need, Citizen, Confidently

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Concerned, Which, Terror, Backyard

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Middle, Argued, Thus, Region

The advanced levels which the democratic world has attained at the end of lengthy processes may have created the perception in the region that democracy is a distant concept; this perception can be addressed.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Processes, May, Which, Region

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Always, Sovereign State, Sovereign

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Bar, Other, Level, Maintained

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Friendship, Other, Using, Forms

Whatever our Lord says, whatever our beloved Prophet says, we shall follow that path.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Path, Lord, Prophet, Beloved

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Against, Engaged, Syria, On The Contrary

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Process, Development, Been, Arab

According to this view, democracy is a product of western culture, and it cannot be applied to the Middle East which has a different cultural, religious, sociological and historical background.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Product, Religious, Which, Sociological

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Leader, Behind, Immortality, Hides

You cannot defend a terrorist group just because they are fighting Daesh.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Just Because, Defend, Cannot, Group

Even 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 Erdogan

Goal, Country, Standard, Ought

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Otherwise, Advantage, Party

Therefore, 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 Erdogan

Middle, Muslim, Explicitly, Suspicions

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Rights, Turkey, Call, Human Rights

In this country, there is a segregation of Black Turks and White Turks. Your brother Tayyip belongs to the Black Turks.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

White, Country, Belongs, Turks

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Ethnicity, Religious, Based, Structure

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Gun, Interest Rates, Aims, Terrorist

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Think, Off, Groups, Terrorist

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Will, Leave, Once, Increase

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Muslim, Being, European, European Union

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Meet, Address, Take, European Union

Turkey must feel at ease. It mustn't say, 'For me, it's the European Union at all costs.' That's my view.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Ease, Costs, European, European Union

Several experts on the Middle East concur that the Middle East cannot be democratized.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Middle, East, Concur, Experts

Why shouldn't Turkey be in the Shanghai Five?

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Why, Turkey, Five, Shanghai

I am one of the first political leaders officially declaring that anti-Semitism is a crime. I expect an official declaration that Islamophobia is a crime against humanity as well.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Against, Political Leaders, Officially

I cannot deceive my people.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

People, Cannot, Deceive

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Encouraging, Formidable, Universal

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Never, Stop, Expression, Press

Among leaders in Europe there are those who have prejudices against Turkey, like France and Germany.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Like, Prejudices, Among, Europe

I have already said that I find the coalition air strikes to be insufficient. A ground intervention will be necessary to overcome Daesh.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Overcome, Will, Necessary, Strikes

A woman who abstains from motherhood saying 'I am working' means she is in fact rejecting motherhood.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Woman, Fact, Means, Abstain

My nation wants the death penalty. That is the decision of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Death, Death Penalty, Nation, Assembly

I'm calling on the United States: what kind of strategic partners are we, that you can still host someone whose extradition I have asked for?

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

United, United States, Still, Partners

Invariably, 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 Erdogan

Within, Borders, Side, Invariably

A simple caricature, a simple sketch - that's fine. There's nothing wrong with that. But if you draw up a caricature... if you associate that subject with the things you're not supposed to, then, of course, you can't expect that to be acceptable.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Caricature, Acceptable, Associate

We have a very significant number of Jewish citizens, and they have always been safe and secure where they are in Turkey.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Always, Been, Very, Citizens

Our country and our nation have again only one message to those who attack us - you will not succeed!

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Country, Will, Nation, Attack

Strong families lead to strong nations.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Strong, Lead, Nations, Families

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Country, Number, Terror, Threat

There is no Kurdish problem.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Problem, Kurdish

The Kurdish problem is not only the problem of one part of my nation: it is a problem of every one of us, including myself.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Problem, Nation, Including, Kurdish

We're really willing to see more and more U.S. entrepreneurs conducting investments in Turkey. I'm optimistic for the future.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

More, Willing, Entrepreneurs, Conducting

If the E.U. is going to make Turkey a full member, we are ready.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Ready, Going, Member, Turkey

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Want, Should, Part, Turkey

Turkey will be in Cyprus forever.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Will, Forever, Cyprus, Turkey

I take the debate on the method of promoting democracy seriously.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Debate, Promoting, Take, Seriously

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Religions, Three, Holy, Jerusalem

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Bad, Shall, Terror, Groups

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Back, Russia, Iran, Answer

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Stop, Like, Get, Streetcar

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Will, Democratic, System, Accept

Satire, whether it be satire or not, everything has to have boundaries.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Boundaries, Whether, Satire

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.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Social, Muslim, Requirements, Modernity

Those who stand on our side in the fight against terrorism are our friend. Those on the opposite side are our enemy.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Against, Terrorism, Side, Friend

Germany has become an important haven for terrorists.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Important, Germany, Haven

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

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

In The Past, United States, Terrorists

Every country needs a strong leader in order to progress.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Leader, Country, Needs, Progress

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?

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

World, Country, Everyone, Leading

A country without a strong leader will go down.

- Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Strong, Leader, Country, Without

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