FULL SUPPORT FROM SPAIN TO TURKEY'S EU MEMBERSHIP

Visiting the capital of Spain, Madrid, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis separately met Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and Spain's Secretary of State for the EU, Diego Lopez Garrido.

In these meetings, new possible chapters to be opened for the accession negotiations of Turkey, especially in the Spain's EU Presidency were discussed and Spain's firm support for Turkey's EU membership was reiterated.

Cyprus issue was also mentioned. It was stated that Spain, having close relations with the Greek Cypriots, would make all efforts to find a solution to the issue, during her Presidency.

Moreover, it was stated that common efforts would be maintained with the Turkey-Spain intergovernmental summit to be held in Madrid, in February and with the Civilizations Alliance Project.

After the visit, Bagis attended the joint press conference with Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız. There, Bagis conveyed the Spanish Prime Minister, Zapetero's message that he explained his wish to host Mr. Erdogan in February, during the Spain's EU Presidency.

Bagis stated that Spain would support Turkey also in "food safety, competition, public procurement, education, culture and energy" chapters. Bagis said:

'Turkey and Spain have much in common. Both of the countries are rich in terms of cultural heritage and they host various cultures and languages. Both of them are Mediterranean countries and experienced problems in their democracies in the history. They passed through hard days that the dark clouds hanged over them. Both of the countries left those days behind and are progressing towards a more democratic, stable and powerful economy. Spain has a great experience in struggling against terrorism. This issue also makes them get closer. Therefore, I believe that Spain's EU Presidency will be beneficial for Turkey.

It is not surprising that the ones opposing Turkey's membership were against the Spain's membership in the past. The ones claiming that the Pyrenees are the borders of Europe will not be able to succeed in building up the Berlin wall in Maritsa. Spain is a good example of this. '

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yıldız stated that their visits in Spain had been very beneficial and he said: 'Turkey is a part of the solution to the energy problem in Europe.'

Source: AA