MADRID, Oct 5 (AFP) - Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Tuesday that Madrid will support Turkey`s bid to join the European Union while looking to see stringent entry conditions fulfilled.
Moratinos said he had discussed the issue by telephone with his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul and had told him that Spain wanted to see formal entry negotiations start in December.
He said however that Spain would be "demanding" regarding Ankara`s strict adherence to membership criteria.
"It is better to have Turkey inside than outside but it has to fulfil (the entrance criteria)," said Moratinos.
At a December 17 summit, EU leaders will assess whether Turkey has made enough progress in democracy and human rights reforms to begin membership talks with the 25-member bloc.
Their decision will be based on a much-awaited progress report the European Commission is due to issue on Wednesday.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has already said that he supports Turkish membership of the bloc.
Earlier Tuesday Turkish State Minister Mehmet Aydin said his country could conclude accession talks with the European Union within seven years.