Turkey belongs in Europe, says EU president Spain

European Union president Spain thinks that Turkey belongs in the 27-country bloc, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said in an interview published on Sunday.

Moratinos said negotiations to admit candidate Turkey could be successfully completed if it met the so-called Copenhagen criteria -- covering such areas as democracy, human rights and the rule of law -- which is required for membership.

"It would bring Europe more advantages than drawbacks. There may be difference of opinions between EU member states (over Turkish membership), but all have agreed to wait and watch the negotiations," Moratinos told Germany's Welt am Sonntag newspaper.

Spain, which holds the EU presidency until the end of June, hopes to open accession talks with Ankara in four new policy areas and see progress in a dispute between Turkey and Greek Cyprus which is blocking 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 high strategic importance, specifically mentioning its diplomatic network in the Middle East and central Asia.

/World Bulletin/