Interview With Abdullah Gul, President Of Turkey

(RSD) -- In a CNN Market Place Middle East interview with Abdullah Gul, the President of Turkey talks about his recent visit with U.S. President Barack Obama, as well as such varied Middle East topics as Iran, Iraq and the Palestinian situation.

Following is a transcript of that interview, conducted by CNN's John Defterios.

Abdullah Gul: Well it's an opportunity for both of us, because Obama, he is saying that there is a need for change and his message is so clear. He is saying that we are going first to listen, we are not going to enforce and he is saying that we are not going to act unilaterally. So this is a good message, in fact the world has needed this message. And of course for us also, it's a good opportunity to convey all our messages to him. In the Middle East, in the Far East, in the problematic areas, all the leaders they should not miss this opportunity because President Obama is saying that 'we are going to listen to you.

John Defterios (CNN): You had a mid march meeting with the supreme leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamanei. Public gestures aside, is Iran willing to accept the olive branch that President Obama is putting forward?

Abdullah Gul: The problems are not easy problems. I am sure that they are listening, they are deliberating and I am sure that at the end when they are convinced that all these messages are sincere, and then we can see the action. So I am very much optimistic.

John Defterios: Does it take the elections to pass in June, the elections in Iran to have the next stage of response from Iran? Is it important?

Abdullah Gul: Election is always important, in any country you see, even in Iran, in all societies. And the politicians before the election, they have to be populists. So therefore after the election maybe these serious issues can be handled better.

John Defterios: You had a visit to Iraq. They are trying to rebuild the economy; they are trying to expand the energy sector as you know. But you say they have fears of the future. Are they worried that the US is going to pull out before the economic rebuilding and political stability is there.

Abdullah Gul: I spent two days there. I think I was the first leader to spend the day there. Definitely the security is still a big problem there. But when you compare it to previous days, years, I think its getting better. Turkey is helping them a lot and I think my visit was very much very useful for the both sides. We are in good co operation with them. Territorial integrity and political unity of Iraqis is essential so therefore all of us we have to support them, we have to help them and I am sure that they will succeed in the end.

John Defterios: One final point, you can't have stability in the region without a solution to Gaza. And the rebuilding effort is not moving forward because you have a divided government between Hamas and Fatah. Can they come together so you can get economic development rekindled in the Palestinian territories?

Abdullah Gul: Of course without security and stability there will not be any welfare, economic welfare. As far as Palestinians are concerned, first they should not be divided between them, they should unite. We should all support them. Later on of course, Palestinian and Israelis. Israel and Syria, Israel and Lebanon it's a comprehensive Middle East peace process. Sometimes we are on the scene, sometimes we are not. But we are doing very good things there. I hope that the others also they realize this and they appreciate what Turkey is doing.