Spanish PM pledges support for Turkey's EU bid

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan (L) attend a welcoming ceremony in Ankara Feb 11, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

ANKARA - Visiting Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on Tuesday pledged support to Turkey in its efforts to join the European Union (EU).

Speaking at a joint press conference with Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital of Ankara, Rajoy said: "Spain has been a member of the EU since 1986. We have always supported Turkey's EU accession bid."

He said Turkey is a model for the Muslim countries, adding that further cooperation between Spain and Turkey will continue to enhance both welfare and security.

For his part, Erdogan thanked Spain for its support to Turkey in its bid for EU membership, saying that Spain is a close ally of Turkey.

He said: "The investments of Spanish entrepreneurs in Turkey have reached 8 billion euros ($10.92 billion)," adding strategic investments between the two countries are substantial.

The EU started with Turkey its accession talks in 2005, 18 years after Ankara submitted its first application; however, the talks have made limited progress.

Turkey is the only membership candidate that does not have a visa waiver deal with the EU.