Istanbul, 15 Sept. (AKI) - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero will attend a fast-breaking Ramadan dinner or 'iftar' with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul on Monday.

Iftar is the meal in which Muslims break the fast at the end of the day.

According to Turkish media reports, Zapatero (photo) will share the meal with Erdogan and 2,500 guests and the two leaders are expected to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues.

Erdogan and Zapatero are co-chairs of the United Nations-led Alliance of Civilisations initiative, aimed at improving dialogue and understanding in order to counter extremism.

Spain and Turkey are also reaching a milestone as 2008 marks the 225th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries.

Trade relations between both countries have grown quickly in recent years. According to government figures, exports to Spain topped 199 million dollars in 1990, while in 2007 the figure was 4.58 billion dollars.

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan began in most Muslim countries on 1 September. It is one of the five Muslim duties, together with prayer five times a day, profession of the faith, giving of alms and pilgrimage to Mecca.