Swedish foreign minister concerned over some trends in Russia

Feb 14, 2007, 12:03 GMT

Stockholm - Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt on Wednesday expressed disappointment over certain developments in neighbouring Russia during a foreign policy debate in parliament.

During the presentation of the government's foreign policy, Bildt praised increased 'business activity and human contacts' with Russia but noted some 'steps backwards.'

'The political climate and the media climate (in Russia) alike have become less free. Sometimes we have seen examples of the language of force being used against neighbouring states that have led us to react. We are still seeing breaches of human rights in Chechnya,' Bildt said.

He also mentioned the unsolved murders of Russian reporter Anna Politkovskaya and former agent Alexander Litvinenko.

The wide-ranging statement underlined Sweden's commitment to the European Union and that the bloc should remain 'open to all European democracies that meet the requirements of membership.'

Bildt noted that Sweden would also increase its bilateral ties with the Ukraine and criticized 'the lack of democracy and civil liberties and rights in Belarus'.

The foreign minister said Sweden remained committed to free trade and believed it would also benefit developing countries.

On the Middle East, Bildt said 'the free and democratic elections held on the West Bank and in Gaza are a step in the building of the Palestinian state.

But any successful state-building process in Palestine also presupposes a government whose policies reflect the demands made by the international community, including respect for existing agreements and the State of Israel's right to exist.'

Urban Ahlin of the opposition Social Democrats presented an alternative declaration that focused on globalization, and urged a tougher stance against Sudan.