In Seville, Erdogan honored for contributions to allience of civilizations initiative

As part of his official visit to Spain , Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, along with his wife Emine, yesterday traveled to Cordoba , the historic capital of the Andalusian Muslim civilization in Spain , which reached its peak in the 10th century. In Cordoba , Erdogan visited the Medinat al-Zahra and Mosque-Cathedral (Mezquita) and a museum there. Erdogan later met with Cordoba 's Mayor Andres Ocana and attended a luncheon in his honor. Speaking to reporters, Erdogan said Spain had agreed to grant five-year, multi-entry visas to Turkish businesspeople, academics and artists. "Students are also eligible to benefit from this agreement under the Erasmus program," Erdogan said. Stating that there are currently around 360-370 Spanish entrepreneurs doing business in Turkey, and 70 Turkish entrepreneurs in Spain, Erdogan said that the two countries could make joint investments in third countries in energy – particularly wind, solar and nuclear energy – as well as transportation and health. Erdogan said the third summit of Alliance of Civilizations would take place in Rio De Janeiro , Brazil this May. Erdogan later proceeded to Seville , where visited the production facilities for A4OOM military cargo planes. Turkey is one of the plane's co-producers, and has ordered 10 of them. In the city, Erdogan was presented an award for his extraordinary efforts to launch the Alliance of Civilization initiative. Erdogan received the Seville NODO Foundation's award from Seville Mayor Alfredo Sanchez Menteseirin. Praising Erdogan, Menteseirin said he had taken important steps to develop dialogue between nations and solve international and regional matters. Erdogan said for his part that he was not hopeless about the future of the world. Pointing to Turkey and Spain 's joint call for peace, compromise and dialogue, Erdogan said, " Turkey , which has a significant role in its region, believes that the optimistic and promising atmosphere that will be formed with the spread of peace and prosperity will reach the entire world." Commenting on the Cyprus issue, Erdogan said that the Turkish Cypriot party wants to reach a comprehensive solution based on political equality as soon as possible. " Turkey is working for a just and lasting solution," he added. Erdogan also said that Turkey has taken important steps towards normalizing its relations with Armenia and will continue to do so.