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Obama hails ties with Muslim communities

Washington DC: On the first day of a summit focussed on global Muslim entrepreneurship he hosted here, U.S. President Barack Obama told delegates that they were all there “because we know that over the years, despite all we have in common, the United States and Muslim communities around the world too often fell victim to mutual mistrust”.

Underscoring the importance of the summit as a follow-on from his speech in Cairo last year, Mr. Obama said, that he had then called for a new beginning between the U.S. and Muslim communities, based on mutual interest and respect. “I knew that this vision would not be fulfilled in a single year, or even several years. But I knew we had to begin and that all of us have responsibilities to fulfil,” he said

Touching upon the core issue of concerns that the Muslim communities might have with U.S. foreign policy Mr. Obama explained, that he had “worked to ensure that America once again meets its responsibilities, especially when it comes to the security and political issues that have often been a source of tension.”

In particular, he said, the U.S. was “responsibly ending the war in Iraq, and we will partner with Iraqi people for their long-term prosperity and security. In Afghanistan, in Pakistan and beyond, we're forging new partnerships to isolate violent extremists, but also to combat corruption and foster the development that improves lives and communities.” He also vowed never to waver in the U.S.' pursuit of a two-state solution ensuring the rights and security of Israelis and Palestinians.

On the importance of entrepreneurship, Mr. Obama said it was an “area where we can learn from each other; where America can share our experience as a society that empowers the inventor and the innovator.” He also underscored the reciprocal nature of benefits derived from entrepreneurship, saying trade between the U.S. and Muslim-majority countries still had much potential to grow further.

Mr. Obama announced that Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan had agreed to host the next Entrepreneurship Summit next year in his country.

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