Spain Renews Support For Turkey's EU Entry.

Spain Renews Support For Turkey's EU Entry. Spain on Feb. 22 renewed its backing for Turkey's entry intothe EU and promised to try and accelerate the process during its currentterm in the EU rotating presidency. Spanish PM Jose Luis RodriguezZapatero and Erdoghan on Feb. 22 held in Madrid the 2nd bilateralHigh-Level Meeting with the goal of promoting co-operation in political,judicial, defence and energy matters, among other considerations. Erdoghan told a joint news conference: "Spain never left us toourselves". He thanked Spain for "ceaselessly" supportingTurkey's entry into the EU, and recalled that Madrid had similardifficulties before joining in 1986 what was then still the EuropeanCommunity. He added: "Spain is one of the countries whichunderstand us best in this process", emphasising his certainty thatthis country, from its current rotating six-month presidency of the EU,will give Turkey "the necessary support" to fulfill itsaspirations. Human rights, the situation of the Kurdish minority and theconflict in Cyprus are some of the main obstacles in the process ofincorporating Turkey into the EU. Nonetheless, Zapatero stressedTurkey's "great growth potential" and the "sizeablesteps towards modernisation" achieved by this country straddlingEurope and Asia. The excellent understanding between Spain and Turkey has gonethrough a decisive period these last six years with their jointlaunching of the Alliance of Civilisations. Erdoghan said: The Allianceof Civilisations "has reached an eminent position" and"in the immediate future it will have a very positive impact"on matters of security, the war on terrorism and the move towards"world peace". Erdoghan on Feb. 23 ended his visit to Spain inthe southern Andalusian cities of Seville and Cordoba.