NO POLITICAL FORCE IN SWEDEN DOUBTS THE FACT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
PanARMENIAN.Net
24.03.2010 17:42 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ No political force in Sweden doubts the fact of
Armenian Genocide, President of Christian Social Democrats in Sweden,
Peter Weiderud said.
As he told PanARMENIAN.Net reporter at news conference in Yerevan,
"Swedish parliamentarians, who spoke against Armenian Genocide
resolution passage, cited inappropriate timing as the reason, also
characterizing parliament as unfit structure for decision-making
on historic issues." According to Peter Weiderud, Riksdag passed
the resolution based on significant number of facts and researches
proving 1915 events as the Genocide.
"We were perfectly aware that the resolution might harm Armenia-Turkey
relations. Still, the resolution was aimed at protection of human
rights. Sides should establish peace by owning the truth, and we
sincerely hope Armenia and Turkey will reconcile after the resolution,"
Peter Weiderud said, adding that ruling Social Democratic party MPs
will see to it that Stockholm’s foreign policy should not run counter
to Armenian Genocide resolution.
Dwelling on Turkey’s bid for EU membership; he stated that Sweden
occupies principal position on the issue. "We support Turkey’s bid,
yet believe that the country has to undertake steps toward protection
of national minorities’ rights and development of democracy in the
country."
Commenting on the statement of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
Erdogan on deporting Armenian migrants, Peter Weiderud noted that
the statement was a mistake, and withdrawing it was a right decision.
On March 11, 2010, the Swedish Parliament recognized the Armenian
Genocide in Ottoman Empire in 1915 by 131 votes in favour and 130
against.