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Alliance of Civilizations to be held in Turkey

Türkiye Materials 16 September 2008 11:54 (UTC +04:00)

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said that Alliance of Civilizations Initiative, which was co-chaired by him and Turkish Premier Erdogan, recorded a great progress, reported Worldbulletin.

He added that the second forum of Alliance of Civilizations Initiative would take place in Istanbul in April, 2009 Zapatero said that they wanted to respect all religions and be tolerant to all beliefs and ideologies.

Speaking at a fast-breaking dinner hosted by Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Monday evening, Zapatero said that Spain extended full support to Turkey regarding reforms in administrative and economic structures and also deepening freedoms.

Zapatero said that politicians, together, had to overcome economic difficulties both on national and international level, and he added that it was necessary to act together against difficulties such as the ones in energy area.

Zapatero also said that "we will have a stronger European Union with the membership of Turkey".

He said that Turkey's EU membership process would not be easy, and it was never easy for any country. He added that Spain had a difficult negotiation process for ten years.

Zapatero said that Spain would share all of its experience with Turkey in EU issue. He said that Turkey and Spain were both Mediterranean countries, thus the two countries were sensitive towards the stability and reforms in the region as well as encouraging peace process in the Middle East.

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