Burns praises Erdogan

Stating that Turkey is a rising power in Europe, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns praised Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The predictions that Turkey would decline rapidly in geopolitical significance after the collapse of the Soviet Union is shortsighted, said Burns. "Turkey’s role grew not only in Middle East but also in Europe. Turkey now is a raising power in Europe and also the most influential Islamic country in the world."  Burns said the most important thing that Erdogan realized is to give a bigger role to Islam in the political and social life in his country.