Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan thanked Spain for its support for the Palestinians in the face of the massacres committed by Israel in Gaza, and especially Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whom he assured that with his pro-Palestinian stance he has earned “a place in the hearts of the people of Turkey“, while praising the excellent relations between the two countries and the potential of their growing trade ties during the second and last day of his official visit to Spain, where he was welcomed with an official ceremony at the Moncloa Palace.
“Israel’s reckless actions despite calls (for a ceasefire) are fuelling anti-Semitism. I want to stress that we appreciate Spain’s stance against Israeli oppression. Mr Sanchez has earned a special place in the hearts of the people of Spain, of Turkey, and of our Palestinian brothers and sisters with his principled and consistent policy from day one on this issue,” Erdoğan said in a hoarse voice before a forum of Turkish and Spanish businessmen in Madrid.
The President of the Turkish Republic also noted in this regard during a joint press conference with Sánchez – echoed by the mainstream media in Turkey – that other countries should follow Spain’s example and recognise the Palestinian state, which he saw as a key step towards a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and again accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, saying that images of Palestinian suffering “cause pain to every person with a conscience”.
Erdoğan, who met with King Felipe VI yesterday at the Zarzuela Palace during his first day in Spain, also thanked successive Spanish governments for their sincere support for Turkey’s entry into the European Union, describing Spain as “a friendly country and a NATO ally“. He also recalled that 2025 will be the 20th anniversary of the initiative known as the Alliance of Civilisations, launched jointly by Spain and Turkey, which he said “is more necessary today than ever” due to the “wars and massacres” that are taking place.
Sánchez: “Turkey and Spain are close friends with a special relationship”
For his part, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defined Turkey as “a key economic partner” for Spain and “a very important player in its region”: “Spain and Turkey are two countries with excellent relations in all areas… Turkey will continue to increase its weight and economic importance in the coming decades. Turkey and Spain are friends, with mutual trust and special relations“.
Erdoğan also highlighted the “immense” potential and dynamism of trade relations and investment between the two countries on both sides of the Mediterranean, which he said “encourages us to pursue more ambitious goals” between the two nations. In this respect, the Turkish President stressed that the volume of trade between Turkey and Spain has increased tenfold in the last 20 years, rising from around 2 billion dollars before 2002 to 19.2 billion dollars in 2023. “That brings us closer to the goal of 20 billion dollars (of trade). And I am sure that, together, we can increase that volume much more,” he insisted.
Spain is already the 6th largest investor in Turkey
Addressing the forum of Turkish and Spanish businessmen gathered in Madrid, Erdoğan recalled that Spain is already the 6th largest investor in Turkey, with some 740 Spanish companies and an stock value of some 11 billion dollars, and affirmed that Turkey wants to see more Spanish businessmen investing in Turkey. With regard to Turkish companies, the Turkish President highlighted investments in Spain in the construction sector, where companies from the Eurasian country have carried out projects worthing 1.1 billion dollars, with the renovation of the FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium being a highlight. “Our companies, which enjoy worldwide recognition thanks to their projects, could contribute much more if they were given the opportunity,” he stressed.
Erdoğan reiterates in Spain Turkey’s European ambitions
The Turkish president also insisted during the last day of his visit to Spain – from where he left for Italy to attend the G7 summit – that Turkey maintains its aspiration to become a full member of the EU, but again regretted that Ankara’s “sincere” steps are often hindered by some countries.
“Despite our sincere efforts, some EU members who only have their own interests in mind do not recognise the added value that Turkey would bring to the Union,” Erdoğan said in Spain. The Turkish president also expressed concern about the results of the recent European elections and the rise of the far-right, saying that “the results of the European Parliament elections, and the growth of far-right politicians across Europe, will certainly fuel this mentality.”
VOTE
EDITORIAL TEAM
🧿 About us
.
Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
…
📣 Your ADVERTISING on Hispanatolia
.
🤗 HELP US WITH A DONATION:
💗 Paypal
