SWEDEN’S PM REGRETS THE PARLIAMENT’S DECISION ON 1915 EVENTS IN TURKEY
People’s Daily
March 17 2010
China
Sweden’s Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has expressed regret on
the Parliament’s decision concerning the events in 1915 in the then
Ottoman Empire as genocide, according to a government statement.
Sweden’s parliament last week passed a resolution by a margin of one
vote calling on the government to recognize the events of 1915 in
the then Ottoman Empire as genocide.
"I informed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday that
I regret the decision of the Riksdag, as it paves the way for a
politicisation of historical events. I also expressed my concern
that this could be used by forces in Turkey that are trying to put
a stop to the process of reconciliation with Armenia and the process
of reform in Turkey," said Reinfeldt in the statement.
"The process of reform that is now in progress in Turkey is positive
for possible future membership of the European Union. It is a process
that takes time and must be allowed to do so," the statement said.
Reinfeldt said that the people of Sweden have a positive view of
Turkey. The many Turks who live and work in Sweden have played an
important role in the development of the Swedish society.
"I hope that these valuable contacts between people will help us get
over what has now happened," Reinfeldt said in the statement.
" What is important now is that we are able to prevent any
deterioration in the extraordinarily good relations between our
countries, by continuing our open and constructive dialogue. The
Government will continue to act energetically to advance Turkey’s
EU process."
Relations between Sweden and Turkey became sour after the Parliament’s
decision. Turkish Ambassador to Sweden has been recalled back home
and Turkish Prime Minister’s planned visit to Sweden cancelled too.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt strongly criticized the decision by
the parliament immediately after the decision was made. He criticized
the opposition’s strong support of the decision as a politic for the
general election scheduled to be held in September.
But Bildt was also criticized for not being present in the parliament
when the resolution was voted and passed just by a margin of one vote
in the 347 member parliament.
By Xuefei Chen, People’s Daily Online correspondent in Stockholm,
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
