Obama seeks stronger Turkey links
President Barack Obama said he is looking to ally Turkey to help bridge the divide between Muslim nations and the West.
Joining President Abdullah Gul at a news conference after talks in Ankara, Obama said he wants to build on "what is already a strong foundation" with Turkey.
He said relations between the two countries have for too long been defined on mostly military and national security terms but that they must also work together on the global economic crisis.
Mr Obama said he and Gul have been "very clear that terrorism is not acceptable under any circumstances."
He also said Turkey and the US can build a "model partnership" between a predominantly Christian nation and a predominantly Muslim nation.
Earlier, Mr Obama paid tribute to the memory of modern Turkey's founding father.
"I'm honoured to pay tribute to his name," Mr Obama said at wreath-laying ceremony during a visit to the tomb of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
The tomb is a large limestone, columned complex on the top of a high hill with a dramatic view of Turkey's capital city. President Obama stood at a podium and wrote in a guest book for nearly four minutes.
His visit is being closely watched by an Islamic world that harboured deep distrust of his predecessor, George W Bush.
Mr Obama was spending two days in Turkey as he wraps up an event-packed, eight-day international trip that included stops in Britain, France, Germany and the Czech Republic.
