Turkey, Spain share concerns on Iraq

"The views of both countries overlap on Iraq. Although Spain has withdrawn its troops from Iraq, it wants to continue helping the country actively for the stability of the region," a Turkish official said.

Spain has offered to provide electoral experts to the United Nations for monitoring the Iraqi election, which must take place by the end of January. Spain’s participation in the election would mark a return to Iraq, after withdrawing its troops from the U.S.-led multinational force after the March 11 train bombings in Madrid.

Turkey, which neighbors Iraq, fears a Kurdish federal province in the Middle Eastern country could incite some 12 million Turkish Kurds to push for autonomy. Ankara fought a 15-year war against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in southeastern Turkey.

The Spanish government has said, however, it will make no more military deployments to Iraq.

Support to Turkey’s EU bid
Turkey’s European Union drive was also among the issues raised during the Turkish and Spanish ministers’ talks — with Moranitos voicing clear support for Turkey to join the EU, according to the official.

Turkey, having done much of its homework, expects to get the go-ahead in a summit of EU leaders in December to start the long-delayed accession negotiations. The EU commission will release a report over Turkey’s human rights performance in the autumn that will be highly influential on the EU’s decision prior to the critical summit.

The Spanish minister said he will attend the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC)-EU summit taking place at the beginning of October.

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is also expected to pay an official visit to Turkey in October.