Sweden’s PM regrets the Parliament’s decision on 1915 events in Turkey
Sweden’s PM regrets the Parliament’s decision on 1915 events in Turkey
08:00, March 17, 2010 
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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, xuefeic@yahoo.com
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, xuefeic@yahoo.com
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