SPAIN ON TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION PROCESS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MADRID 003040

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2015
TAGS: PREL SP
SUBJECT: SPAIN ON TURKEY'S EU ACCESSION PROCESS

REF: A. SECSTATE 150087

B. MADRID 2609

C. SECSTATE 153187

D. MADRID 3035

Classified By: A/DCM Kathleen Fitzpatrick for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) The Zapatero government has consistently expressed its
support for Turkey's accession to the European Union (reftels
B and D),and the MFA reaffirmed this support to the Embassy
August 24. In the aftermath of the French "no" to the EU
constitution in May and the dissolution of the German
parliament, the GOS seemed to waver slightly in its pre-July
GAERC remarks (reftel B),leaving itself room for maneuver in
a changing EU consensus. However, since July, Turkey has
decided to co-sponsor Zapatero's Alliance of Civilizations
proposal before the UN, solidifying the previous Spanish
position. In the meeting with poloff on August 24, MFA EU
policy coordinator Carlos Fernandez-Arias said that USG
talking points on Turkish accession (reftel C) "could have
been written by our Ministry," and offered no reservations
about Spanish support for the October start date of
negotiations for Turkish accession (reftel D).


2. (SBU) In terms of public opinion, Turkey is not a country
of critical interest to Spain, but concern about rising
Muslim immigration in the country is a significant issue
which almost certainly ties into views of Turkish membership
in the EU. Public opinion on Turkish accession is divided.
The latest Eurobarometer poll in June 2005 showed 42% of
Spaniards in favor of Turkey's entry into the EU, 33%
against, and a significant 26% who "don't know." A Real
Instituto Elcano report in July showed a higher percentage
against Turkish accession -- 53% -- with 41% in favor, while
previous polls from early 2005 and from 2004 consistently
show a larger number of Spaniards in favor or Turkish
membership than against, but with a big "don't know" or
"indifferent" response rate. At this point, many Spaniards
seem not to be following the issue, and that general lack of
interest on the part of the public allows the GOS leeway to
pursue broader interests.
AGUIRRE