BILDT CONDEMNS THE ATTACK ON THE FLOTILLA

The Swedish Palace which was used as the Consulate General of Sweden in Istanbul and which was recently restored was inaugurated by Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis and Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt.

Stressing that the two countries had diplomatic relations since 1537 and that was a very important indicator for continuation of relations in the future, Bagis noted that seven political parties in the Swedish Parliament supported Turkey's membership to the EU and that hundreds of thousands of people of Turkish origin set their homes in Sweden proved that both sides were happy together.

Indicating that Turkey and Sweden worked closely in many areas and one of these areas was Turkey's accession to the EU, Bildt stated that Turkey would take decisions regarding the future itself; however its membership was to the benefit of the EU's long term strategic interests.

After the inauguration of Swedish Palace, Bagis, along with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt, answered the questions of the journalists regarding Israel's attack on the ships carrying aid to Gaza.

This article is being translated...

Source: AA