Hurriyet, Turkey
March 19 2010

Sweden supports Turkey’s EU reforms

Friday, March 19, 2010
STOCKHOLM – Anatolia News Agency

The Swedish government has announced that it will provide not only
political, but also financial assistance to reforms that have been
fulfilled in Turkey on its path toward European Union membership.

The move is part of the Swedish government’s newly adopted strategy
for developing cooperation with Turkey for the period 2010-2013.

`Turkey’s future membership in the EU remains the strongest incentive
for further democratic reforms in the country. Through this new
strategy, Sweden is strengthening its support for the development of
closer relations between Turkey and the EU,’ said Minister for
International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.

`The measures in this strategy will be an important contribution to
the reform efforts needed for Turkey to fully meet the criteria for EU
membership, particularly within such areas as democracy, human rights
and gender equality,’ Carlsson added.

Relations between Turkey and Sweden soured after the Swedish
parliament narrowly approved a resolution March 11 recognizing the
1915 killing of Armenians during the last days of the Ottoman Empire
as `genocide.’ Turkey recalled its ambassador and cancelled a
high-level Turkish-Swedish meeting in protest.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has expressed regret over the
parliament’s decision, urging the Turkish government to prevent any
deterioration in relations.

Carlsson said Turkey is an important partner for Sweden in many areas.
`Turkish EU membership is strategically important for the European
Union. Sweden is in a position to provide support in connection with
these needs and can help strengthen civil society by supporting
organizations working for the rights of minorities and other groups in
need.’

Sweden’s broad commitment to Turkey also includes academic cooperation
administered by the Swedish Institute. Grant programs provide Turkish
students with the opportunity to study human rights and European
studies in Sweden, while Swedish students are given the opportunity to
conduct `minor field studies’ in Turkey.