Turkey, Spain discuss possible chapters to be opened

Turkey and Spain discussed Wednesday possible chapters to be opened in the accession negotiations under the Spanish EU Presidency.

Turkey's Chief EU Negotiator Minister Egemen Bagis who is visiting Spain separately met with Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos and State Secretary for EU Affairs Diego Lopez Garrido.

Parties agreed to open "the food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policies", "public procurement", and "Competition Policy" chapters and launch initiatives to open the "Energy" and "Education and Culture" chapters which has been blocked by the Greek Cypriot Administration.

Diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity said Spain reiterated its support to Turkey's EU bid.

Spain, which has close ties with the Greek Cypriot Administration vowed to exert utmost efforts towards a settlement to the Cyprus issue.

The Turkey-Spain Intergovernmental summit scheduled to be held in Madrid in February was also discussed during the meetings.

/World Bulletin/