Spanish FM: "Turkey's EU entry would bring more pros than cons"

Spain, the current European Union president, believes that Turkey belongs in the 27-country bloc, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, whose country holds the EU presidency through this June, said in a Sunday interview with Germany's Welt am Sonntag. Moratinos said negotiations to admit Turkey could be successfully completed if it meets the required Copenhagen criteria, covering such areas as democracy, human rights and the rule of law. "It would bring Europe more advantages than drawbacks," he continued. "There may be difference of opinion between EU member states over Turkish membership, but all have agreed to wait and watch the negotiations." Spain hopes to open accession talks with Ankara in four new policy areas and see progress in the dispute over Greek Cyprus which is slowing Ankara's bid. "Turkey is a part of the European family of peoples. It is better to have Turkey inside the EU than to leave it standing outside," Moratinos said. He added that the EU considers Turkey a partner of great strategic importance, specifically mentioning its diplomatic network in the Middle East and Central Asia.