Turkey asks Spain for support in terror fight in Europe

Turkey and Spain, two countries that suffer from terrorism, on Sunday discussed ways to jointly fight against this fatal threat.

According to Turkish diplomats, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu briefed his counterpart, Miguel Angel Moratinos, about his government’s ongoing Kurdish move and its plans to end the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, terrorism.

Davutoğlu reportedly emphasized that Turkey was doing its best in its struggle at home, but was asking its European allies to help in its fight in European countries.

“Our demand was for more vocal support from Spain against the PKK’s activities on the European continent,” a diplomat told the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review.

In reply, Moratinos said, “We are aware of your legitimate concern.”

Spain fought against separatist terrorism from the Basque Homeland and Freedom, or ETA, organization for 40 years and has only recently been able to bring about a calmer situation.

One of the reasons behind Spain’s success in dealing with the ETA was its uncompromising attitude toward terrorism, diplomats said. “Those who eulogize terrorism and terrorists are not tolerated in this country,” a diplomat said. “After the implementation of a tougher anti-terror law, the ETA’s senior figures were all arrested. The ETA now has difficulty finding senior people.”

The same diplomat also noted the effective cooperation between France and Spain on this issue. In the past, many ETA members enjoyed shelter in France, but after a deal was made with Paris, Spanish anti-terror units can now conduct their pursuits into French territories.

Exchange of expertise

Turkey and Spain, co-chairs of the Alliance of Civilizations initiative, have also decided to deepen their bilateral, regional and global relations. The foreign ministers of the two countries agreed to hold the second Turkey-Spain Summit in February and again in conjunction with the visit of King Juan Carlos I in 2011.

The two countries have additionally decided to explore means of intensifying their cooperation on the Balkans, Africa and South America. As part of the deal, Turkey will share its expertise on the Balkans and the Middle East with Spain while the latter will do the same about South America.

Globally, the two countries will continue to work on the Alliance of Civilizations project, which was recently endorsed by more than 80 countries in the United Nations, including the United States.

The initiative’s next summit will be held in Brazil next year.