PM Erdogan in Spain: Symbols cannot be forbidden; we will solve the headscarf matter in shortest time possible

Said Erdogan, "Even if the headscarf were being worn as a political symbol, can that really be accepted as a crime? Can we really ban symbols and signs that way? Where else in the world does such a ban exist when it comes to freedoms?....We will solve this problem in the shortest time possible."
 
PM Erdogan also commented yesterday on Turkey's ongoing quest for EU accession, noting during a Turkey-Spain Business Council meeting: "Unfortunately, there are some member countries which are attempting to water down our membership target. And thus our people are losing their trust in the EU. But just as word games are not going to distract us from our goal of EU membership, we are also not willing to accept any other alternatives that full membership."
 
After meeting with PM Erdogan, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero commented on Turkey's goal of attaining EU membership, noting: "Spain has given its full support to Turkey for the quest for EU membership, and Spain will continue to give this support."Â