WASHINGTON, Jan 8 (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush on Tuesday said he wants Turkey to be admitted to the European Union "in the interests of peace," describing Ankara as a bridge between Europe and the Muslim world.

"Turkey sets a fantastic example for nations around the world to see where it's possible to have a democracy that co-exists with a great religion like Islam," Bush said at a White House meeting with Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

"I strongly believe that Europe will benefit when Turkey is a member of the European Union," Bush added. "It's in the interests of peace that Turkey be admitted into the EU."

In Gul's first visit to the White House as Turkish president, the two leaders also discussed energy issues and the Kurdistan Workers Party, which Bush called "a common enemy."

"It's an enemy to Turkey, it's an enemy to Iraq and it's an enemy to people who want to live in peace. The United States, along with Turkey, are confronting these folks and we will continue to confront them for the sake of peace," Bush said. (Reporting by David Morgan)

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