INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
The Spanish premier also referred to the growing number of Spanish firms doing business in Turkey
07.04.09 - 10:11 -
U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L), Turkey's President Abdullah Gul (2nd R), Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan (L) and Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero (R) pose with Turkish performers during a dinner in Istanbul on Monday. Obama told the Muslim world on Monday the United States was not at war with Islam, using his first international tour to try to repair America's damaged image abroad. REUTERS / Kayhan Ozer
Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero on Sunday defended Turkey's ambitions to join the EU, saying that the door to membership must remain "open" for Ankara as long as it adheres to the requirements set by the bloc's 27 member nations.
Zapatero also said at the press conference that Spain would back the initiative launched by U.S. President Barack Obama to eliminate the world's nuclear arsenals, calling the move Obama articulated in a speech on Sunday in Prague of "enormous significance and transcendence."
Zapatero gave his support to Turkey's EU aspirations at a joint press conference with Turkish Premier Recep Tayip Erdogan at the end of their first bilateral top level meeting and Turkey's admission to the EU was a central element of the Spanish leader's speech there.
Clear position
He also said that Madrid's position was "firm, clear and emphatic and it will remain that way," adding that although a move to admit the Muslim nation to the bloc would "take time and the debate (within the EU) will be intense," Spain had confidence in European institutions and that Ankara's bid would fare well.
He also said that Madrid's position was "firm, clear and emphatic and it will remain that way," adding that although a move to admit the Muslim nation to the bloc would "take time and the debate (within the EU) will be intense," Spain had confidence in European institutions and that Ankara's bid would fare well.
Meanwhile, Erdogan said that Spain is a "crucial" country for Turkey and vice versa, adding that the two nations share values and the same vision regarding many international policy questions.
On Monday, the two leaders inaugurated in Istanbul the 2nd Forum of the Alliance of Civilizations and, in keeping with that project, Zapatero said that three new information exchange centers would be set up, one of them dealing with religions and beliefs, another on youth and the third on immigration and integration.
Trade
The Spanish premier also referred to the growing number of Spanish firms doing business in Turkey and emphasized that bilateral trade relations must continue growing.
The Spanish premier also referred to the growing number of Spanish firms doing business in Turkey and emphasized that bilateral trade relations must continue growing.
He also said that both Madrid and Ankara have deployed their troops in many parts of the world to carry out peacekeeping missions, and he added that cooperation against terrorism is of prime importance so as to respond to current risks.
