“It's better to have Turkey inside the EU than to leave it standing before the door," Spanish foreign minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said in an interview with German paper Die Welt on last Sunday.

Because of its strategic geography and common values with the European Union, the Spanish Presidency welcomes the return of conversations with Turkey. "Turkish diplomacy is very well related in the Middle East and Central Asia where it is embracing an important mediating role. Turkey is also an important partner in the dialogue of civilisations between East and West," Morantinos declared.

Since the talks began, in 2005, only 12 out of 35 negotiating chapters were opened, but Spain promises to continue with this process, unlocking four more chapters during the next six months. One of the remaining problematic questions is the opposition by EU member Cyprus, which is sheltered in conflict with Turkey over the northern part of the island.

Moratinos also remarked that to proceed with admission negotiations it is absolutely necessary that Turkey completes the Copenhagen criteria regarding the full respect of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Besides the Spanish position, many Member states remain cautious on Turkey’s entrance. A new opinion pool made in five EU countries by Bogazici University in Istanbul, Granada University and the Autonomous University of Madrid in Spain, demonstrates that 64 percent of people in France and 62 percent of Germans would say No to Turkey if a referendum was held.  The “No” would win with less than 50% in the UK, and Poland and Spain would vote Yes by 54 percent and 53 percent, correspondingly.

Moratinos also showed to be very positive, concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He even admitted to see this conflict as the main challenge of the Spanish presidency. "Europe must push this forward and work so that the peaceful two-state solution becomes reality, and as soon as possible. A year is the maximum timeframe. Both parts want to negotiate, but need to be encouraged" he said.

Besides, peace in this area would influence and improve European relations with other countries, namely Iran, he added. For Moratinos, the coexistence with Muslim societies is perfectly possible, and, again, Turkey can help in this diplomatic task.

Foreign Minister also showed some openness when he announced last week that Spain would take in two prisoners from Guantanamo Bay.