On a collision course over foreign policy

ENLARGEMENT ISSUES

Under the Spanish presidency, Croatia is expected to wrap up its accession talks with the EU, although some work could drag on into the Belgian presidency. José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Spain's prime minister, explained to his ambassadors that Spain would “throw its support” behind Croatia, but also Turkey, which he described as a “great country” that “has been waiting too long” at the EU's gates. Spain also has warm relations with Serbia; Serbian diplomats expect Madrid to help advance its membership application, which the government intends to submit in the coming months.