The Swedish prime minister has released a statement calling for tensions to be eased between Stockholm and Ankara.
The Swedish parliament, or Riksdag, approved last week, by a margin of one vote (131-130), a motion that called on the government to recognize the events of 1915 in the Ottoman Empire as genocide. In protest, Ankara recalled its ambassador to Stockholm and cancelled the Turkish prime minister’s planned visit to Sweden.
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt phoned his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday to again express his regrets in an effort to repair bilateral ties.
'It [the Riksdag’s decision] paves the way for a politicization of historical events... 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,' Reinfeldt said in a statement released on Tuesday.
Drawing attention to the ongoing accession talks with the European Union, Reinfeldt said the reform process in Turkey bodes well for the country’s possible future EU membership. 'It is a process that takes time and must be allowed to do so,' he said.
'The people of Sweden have a positive view of Turkey. The many Turks who live and work here have played an important role in the development of our society,' Reinfeldt added.
The Swedish prime minister urged the easing of tensions, saying: 'I hope that these valuable contacts between people will help us get over what has now happened. 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.'
Reinfeldt concluded his statement by vowing to 'act energetically to advance Turkey’s EU process'.
Hurriyet Daily News
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