Spain continues to support Turkey’s European Union membership bid

Spain’s continued support for Turkey’s EU membership is important as Spain holds the EU term presidency through June of this year. Speaking at the press conference, Zapatero said Spain would try to open four new chapters in Turkey’s membership negotiations. According to Zapatero, the energy chapter is one of those that Spain will attempt to open. The energy chapter is currently blocked by the Greek Cyprus.

Speaking about the peace process between the two sides in Cyprus, the Spanish prime minister said his government was working to support the dialogue process and reach an agreement and is pursuing its activities with good relations with all parties, adding that Turkey and Spain share a common vision in many spheres. At the latest EU summit, held in early December of last year, Greek Cyprus complained about Turkey’s continuing policy of refusing entry to Greek Cypriot vessels in Turkey’s air and sea ports. Greek Cyprus warned it would block six negotiation chapters if Turkey persisted in keeping its seaports and airports closed to Greek Cypriot traffic. Meanwhile, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) President Mehmet Ali Talat will pay a visit to Spain soon to discuss the current peace talks between the two leaders of the island.

Saying that Turkey’s role in the Middle East, Iran and unity in Mediterranean, cultural, political and economic relations were among the issues discussed during the bilateral talks in Madrid, Zapatero said Spanish companies in Turkey have grown and that there are strong relations between Turkish and Spanish companies. He added that Spanish companies are especially interested in infrastructure investments in Turkey. There are nearly 350 Spanish businessmen operating in Turkey, and roughly 70 Turkish businessmen investing in Spain.

Spain, a staunch supporter of Turkey’s EU membership bid, also joined Turkey as a co-founder of the Alliance of Civilization, which operates under the auspices of the United Nations. Responding to criticism that the Alliance of Civilizations has not met expectations thus far, Zapatero said more than 100 countries have joined the Alliance of Civilizations since its establishment and that they have expressed positive views with respect to the project. Noting that the Alliance of Civilizations intended to help initiate dialogue between diverse parties, Zapatero said the Alliance of Civilizations was against discrimination and supported mutual understanding, dialogue and respect of different cultures and religions.

Erdoğan receives Nodo Culture Award

The Municipality of Seville honored Prime Minister Erdoğan with the Nodo entre Culturas award for his “important role” in the implementation of the Alliance of Civilizations initiative. He traveled to Seville to accept his award from Seville’s Mayor Alfredo Sanchez Menteseirin in a ceremony on Monday evening. Speaking at the award ceremony, Mayor Menteseirin said Erdoğan has taken important steps to develop mutual dialogue between nations and work towards the resolution of international and regional issues.

Addressing the audience during the ceremony, Erdoğan said, “Turkey, which has a significant role in its region, believes that the optimistic and promising atmosphere that will be created with the spread of peace and prosperity will embrace the whole world.” Speaking about the ongoing peace process to reunify the divided Cyprus, Erdoğan said Turkish Cyprus wants to reach a comprehensive solution based on political equality as soon as possible. “Turkey is working for a just and lasting solution,” he stated.

The Nodo entre Culturas award was earlier bestowed on former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, UNICEF goodwill envoy Mia Farrow and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Chairman Mohammad ElBaradei. Erdoğan will receive a statuette and a cash award of $30,000 in conjunction with the Nodo entre Culturas.

Erdoğan also met with Jose Antonio Grinan, president of the Andalusian Autonomous Government, on Tuesday in a meeting that was closed to the press. Later in the day Erdoğan visited a facility where A400M military cargo planes are being manufactured, before departing Spain.