Turkey: Middle Eastern role model

Middle Eastern countries view Turkey as a good example of a state in which there exists harmonious cooperation between Islam and western style democratic development. Research in August – September last year was carried out among 2300 people from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine. 66% of those asked said Turkey is the exemplary country out of the all the Middle Eastern states and think that Turkey shows successful cooperation between Islam and democracy. 66% of those questioned are of the opinion that Turkish influence in the Middle East has increased; 78% think that the country should increase its position in regulating Israel-Palestine conflict. The polling also showed people had special regard for Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan.