Shoe Flung at Turkish Prime Minister while Visiting Spain

The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, began his visit to Spain on February 22, 2010. During the visit, he attended a meeting hosted by the Nueva Economia Forum and delivered a speech about Turkey’s European Union membership process. Later, he met with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero to talk about Turkey-Spain relations in all aspects. During the meeting, it is reported that Zapatero and Erdogan exchanged views over recent developments in the world and in the region, and Turkey’s negotiation process with the European Union.

Later on, Erdogan, his wife Emine Erdogan and his fellow ministers joined a ceremony at the town hall of Sevilla. Erdogan examined the paintings in the building accompanied by the mayor and signed the Honor Book.

At the ceremony, the Prime Minister was presented with an award due to his remarkable efforts to launch the Alliance of Civilizations initiative. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan received the Seville NODO Foundation’s award from Seville’s Mayor, Alfredo Sanchez Menteseirin, at the ceremony held in Seville, Spain.

In his speech, Montesereirin emphasized the importance of the Alliance of Civilizations in the mutual understanding and dialogue in the world and said that they are proud of giving the award to Erdogan because of his important steps in the development of mutual understanding and solutions in conflicts.

Mehmet Ozcan, director of Center for EU Studies at the International Strategic Research Organization (USAK), said that the meeting between Turkey and Spain is very important in terms of Turkey’s relations with both the European Union and Spain. He also emphasized the importance of visits to the countries which oppose Turkey’s EU membership and said, “The same determination of government is expected to be performed by extensive delegations during the visit of other countries.’’

Upon leaving the Seville City Hall, a Kurdish-Syrian citizen threw a shoe at the Turkish Prime Minister. The 21 year old man who threw the footwear was promptly arrested in Sevilla. He is now accused of attempted assault on a head of state. The Syrian protester, who is reported to be an illegal immigrant in Spain, was detained at the scene, and his name is not known yet.