Obama in Turkey

A vast number of issues are planned to be discussed according US Embassy officials. Among them: bilateral and global issues; NATO’s role in Afghanistan; security and stability in Iraq; offering support for Turkey’s EU accession; to encourage ongoing cooperation against terrorism.
The main issues from the Turkish perspective remain bilateral relations between Turkey and the US, development of partnership, focusing on both regional and global issues with equal facility.
Obama started his day in Ankara with the visit of Anitkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.
Talks with President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Parliament Speaker Köksal Toptan and leaders of the opposition parties represented in Parliament are also planned during the stay of the American president in Ankara. He is also supposed to address a plenary session of Turkish Parliament today, to show that US officials support the development of Turkish democracy.
After the day of intensive meetings and negotiations Barack Obama leaves Ankara for Istanbul. 
“Global issues”
On Tuesday, the American president will be in Istanbul where the Alliance of Civilizations is holding its second annual Forum. Many European and Asian leaders are taking part in this Forum, which aim it is “to help bridge the growing divide between nations and cultures worldwide, and to establish new partnerships that further global intercultural dialogue”. The Forum is likely to have Obama’s participation too.
One of the most controversial and important issues in the agenda of Obama remains NATO’s position in Afghanistan, where Turkey has more then 800 troops for the moment. Ankara supports the new policy of Obama towards Afghanistan, but still insists on a more peaceful approach.
Many manifestations that took place in Turkey even before the visit of Obama were against bringing new Turkish troops to Afghanistan. Participants of these manifestations were sure American president made this the prime aim of his visit.
Vast manifestations were also a reason for extraordinary security measures that were taken in the capital and in Istanbul before the visit of Obama. Four thousand police officers are spread around Ankara for maximum security in the city. That excludes the personal security guards that number 27 persons during this visit. A special group of American security experts was also sent to Turkey 10 days before the US leader arrived. They were supposed to make sure that the level of security in Turkish Parliament met their demands.
Preconditions
This is Obama’s first visit to Muslim country, wich is why journalists and politicians are full of expectations about it. Obama already made a clear appeal to rapprochement with Muslim countries and to accept Turkey as a member of European Union during EU summit in Prague.
According to the Washington Post this visit could be critical to the US policy in the Middle East. The paper also emphasizes that Turkey has more and more impact on the relations of the US with Middle East countries.