BAGIS VISITS STOCKHOLM

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis visited Sweden's capital Stockholm and met Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation.

Within the framework of the visit to Sweden, Bagis firstly delivered a speech at the "Institute for Security & Development Policy" and at the working breakfast organized with the attendance of the journalists, representatives of think-thank organisations and politicians, and noted the developments in Turkey and the EU-Turkey relations.

In his statement afterwards, Bagis said that the decision taken in the Swedish Social Democratic Party's congress about the Armenian claims on 1915 incidents would offend Turkish people. Bagis said "I hope this decision wouldn't be approved by the Swedish parliament."

Bagis said Turkey no longer ignored its problems and it tried to solve them. Upon the criticisms saying: ‘Turkey has turned to the East', Bagis said Turkey served as a bridge among the cultures and said "I don't come across such critics in the countries I visit. Turkey has served as a bridge between the East and the West for centuries."

Stating that "Turkey has abandoned to sweep the problems under the carpet", Bagis said "We are trying to solve our problems. Within 10 years Turkey can become the center of peace and economic welfare in its region if we work hand in hand."

Bagis later proceeded to Swedish Parliament and met with Swedish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Chairman Göran Lennmark. Stating that seven parties in the Swedish assembly gave support to Turkey's EU accession, Lennmark said Sweden believed that ‘Ankara was as European as Stockholm' and that it eulogized the reforms carried out by Turkey.

After attending the lunch hosted by International Development Cooperation Minister Gunilla Carlsson, Bagis had a tete-a-tete meeting with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.

In the meeting Bildt reiterated his support to Turkey's EU accession process and said that the chapter on environment was envisaged to be opened during the rotating presidency of Sweden. Bildt noted that they would exert efforts to open the chapters on education, culture and energy before the end of their rotating presidency.

Referring to the decision taken by the Social Democratic Party regarding the Armenian allegations, Carl Bildt said Turkey shouldn't feel concerned over that decision. Stating that they extended support to Turkey on the protocol signed with Armenia, democratic initiative and efforts to find a solution on the Cyprus issue.

Turkish flag was hoisted in front of the Foreign Ministry building during the meeting and it was interpreted as the indication of Sweden's support to Turkey's EU accession.

Meeting with Swedish Parliament's European Affairs Board President Anna Kinberg-Batra, and Swedish Foreign Affairs Secretary General Frank Belfrage under the framework of his Swedish contacts, Bagis also attended a meeting held by the Turkish people living in Sweden.

Source: AA