The Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said today that a number of EU countries cannot see the great potential of cooperation with Turkey and its contribution to the development of the EU, Turkish media reported, quoted by BTA.
Erdogan, who arrived in Madrid yesterday, spoke at a Turkish-Spanish business forum in the Spanish capital. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also participated in the business forum.
Our positive steps towards the EU are not met with a response from the union because of the obstacles created by some of its members. Thus, they are unable to see the great contribution that Turkey can make to the EU, Erdogan pointed out.
The situation created after the European Parliament elections and the correspondingly alarming rise of far-right forces will worsen this situation, the Turkish president said.
In his words, "the potential for commercial and economic cooperation with the EU is limited by the strict visa conditions, the lack of progress on the issue of updating the customs union.
The Turkish leader expressed his gratitude to Spain "for its sincere support" on Turkey's path to the EU.
The head of state recalled that trade with Spain before 2002 was about 2 billion dollars, and last year it reached 19.2 billion dollars.
Thus, the two countries have "almost reached the goal of trade of 20 billion dollars,", Erdogan said.
The Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, in his turn highlighted the important role of Turkey "in the complex geostrategic context of the world".
Our connections keep growing. For Spain, Turkey is a very important economic partner, a primary participant in the complex geostrategic context, Sanchez pointed out.
He noted that Spain remains Turkey's "best ally in Europe".
Erdogan arrived yesterday on a two-day visit to Spain. Last night he met in Madrid with King Felipe VI of Spain.