Obama, Erdogan discuss range of issues

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Talks between U.S. President Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan ranged from peace to Turkish-Armenian relations, the leaders said.

The two leaders also discussed Iran, "and I indicated to the prime minister how important it is to resolve the issue of Iran's nuclear capacity in a way that allows Iran to pursue peaceful nuclear energy but provides assurances that it will abide by international rules and norms, and I believe that Turkey can be an important player ...," Obama said during a media availability.

Obama said he thanked Erdogan for Turkey's contributions to Afghanistan and the countries' roles in helping Iraq achieve independence and prosperity.

"We reaffirmed the shared commitment to defeat terrorist activity regardless of where it occurs," Obama said, adding he "complimented the prime minister for the steps that he's taken, often very difficult steps, in reintegrating religious minorities and ethnic minorities within Turkey into the democratic and political process, and indicated to him that we want to be as supportive as possible in further steps that he can take ... ."

Erdogan said Obama description of Turkish-U.S. relations as "a model partnership" was important to his country politically.

"And important steps are now being taken in order to continue to build on our bilateral relations so as to give greater meaning to the term 'model partnership,'" Erdogan said.

The two leaders had a chance to discus what could be done jointly in the region concerning nuclear programs.

"We as Turkey stand ready to do whatever we can to ensure a diplomatic solution to the nuclear issue in our region," the prime minister said. "And we stand ready as Turkey to do whatever we can do with respect to relations between Israel and the Palestinians, and Israel and Syria ... in trying to achieve global peace."