In the lead-up to the 2nd High-level Meeting between Spain and Turkey
Twenty-first of February 2010. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, hosted a working lunch today with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, during which they discussed the main issues relating to bilateral relations and Turkey's accession to the European Union, plus a range of topics on the international agenda. The meeting took place as part of the lead-up to the 2nd High-level Meeting between Spain and Turkey scheduled for tomorrow in Madrid.
Having expressed their satisfaction at the ongoing process of political rapprochement between the two countries in recent years, both Ministers expressed their intention to promote exchanges between Turkey and Spain to further improve economic and trade relations, bringing them up to the same level. On this topic, Miguel Ángel Moratinos referred to the recent contract with Técnicas Reunidas to build a refinery in Izmir, in what is set to be the largest industrial project in Turkey over the coming years; he conveyed to Minister Davutoglu the interest expressed by Spanish companies in taking part in the infrastructure investment programme launched by the Government in Ankara for modernising the country.
Minister Moratinos reiterated Spain's support for Turkey's accession to the European Union, although he added that the speed at which negotiations would move forward is dependent on Ankara's progress on internal reform and its relations with Cyprus.
On international issues, the Ministers discussed a range of topics related to the Western Balkans, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Minister Moratinos supported the creation of a sixth post of Deputy General Secretary for Turkey in the context of the Union for the Mediterranean partnership.