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