Zapetero said that Spanish companies in Turkey were ready for economic cooperation. Economic activities between Turkey and Spain were on the rise, said Zapatero, but explained that Spanish investments in Turkey were not sufficient and the outcome of this meeting should be "more investment."

Spanish businessmen do not invest in Turkey to their full-capacity, said Zapetero, while indicating that it was necessary to make efforts to refresh relations between the two countries and to carry them to a further level.

According to Zapetero, Turkey has covered a big distance over the past five years, showing much progress in the macroeconomic picture.

Spanish companies want to work in the fields of defense, communication and public services in Turkey, Zapetero said. They also would like to be involved in the electricity distribution business in Turkey.

Turkey is one of nine countries Spain will invest in 2007; including the United States, Japan, and China, said Zapetero.

"Turkey is a strategic market for us," added the Spanish prime minister.

Zapetero urged the Turkish and Spanish businessmen to look for partnerships using every opportunity.

Erdogan: We can have partnerships in energy and tourism

Prime Minister Erdogan said that Spain was a leading commercial partner. The volume of trade between the two countries reached $6,5 billion dollars in 2005 and $5 billion dollars in the first eight months of 2006.

"There is no reason to not increase trade between the two countries," said Erdogan.