THIS DECISION DOES NOT SUIT THE SWEDISH PARLIAMENT

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis talked about the Swedish Parliament's decision on the Armenian Draft Resolution taken in the voting yesterday and said: "This decision does not suit the Swedish Parliament."

When responding to a question, Egemen Bağış reminded that all political parties in the Swedish parliament supported Turkey's EU accession, and added these:

"Unfortunately, The Swedish Parliament has bowed down to distorted history arguments which are far from reflecting the truth. The intervention of Parliaments into historical debates, using the history as an element of political conclusions and concern for elections, is as wrong as distorting history. At the same time, such a manner demonstrates an immense irresponsibility to the next generations. History is not a field that can be determined or rewritten with a ‘yes' or ‘no' vote of a parliamentarian. Politicians are supposed to turn their face to the future, not to the past."

Bağış stated that they had always been glad for the supports of Swedish friends during Turkey's EU membership process, and said that the decision approved in spite of intensive preventive efforts of the Swedish Government, and particularly of the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Carl Bildt, worried and disappointed them.

Stating that Turkey was not in need of courts founded by foreign parliaments in order to face its history and geography, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağış said that Turkey was always ready to face their history.

Reminding the demands of Turkey regarding the establishment of a joint historical commission, Bağış noted these:

"This is quite worrisome that the international community ignores both this well-intentioned attempt of Turkey and the strong opposition of the Armenian Government and the Armenian Diaspora to this demand.

The Swedish Parliament has been deceived by the hate merchant diaspora who wants the hostility to be permanent and seeks isolation and ethnic conflict. Apparently, such decision of the Swedish Parliamentarians, who constantly emphasize Turkey's contributions to world peace though its potential EU membership, will not serve to peace.

It is obvious that such political moves will not help the efforts of Turkey, trying to maintain the Alliance of Civilizations. We expect this decision, which is non- binding for Turkey, to be void and our bilateral relations not to be damaged with pointless attempts. Turkey will not be involved in such tricks and will continue to pursue its peaceful policies."

Source: AA