Sweden government repeats support for EU enlargement

Feb 17, 2010, 11:50 GMT

Stockholm - Sweden remains committed to enlargement of the European Union and to keeping its military forces in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said Wednesday.

'Only by successfully completing our mission in Afghanistan can we show that the losses (we) suffer are not in vain,' Bildt said, referring to the recent deaths of two Swedish soldiers in Afghanistan.

Bildt's remarks were made during the presentation of the government's foreign policy statement that also touched on free trade, disarmament, climate change and global poverty reduction.

The mission in Afghanistan aimed to help forge a functioning government, as well as 'combat poverty and promote long-term stability,' he said.

In a related development, a new survey commissioned by Swedish broadcaster SVT's news programme 'Rapport' suggested that more Swedish voters support the military contribution in Afghanistan.

The Synovate survey published on the eve of the parliamentary debate said 48 per cent of the 1,000 people polled backed the Swedish forces in Afghanistan while 26 per cent were opposed. The rest were undecided.

In October, 34 per cent supported the Afghan commitment while 37 per cent were against.

Bildt underlined the key role the EU has for Sweden, saying membership in the bloc 'is the best way to safeguard our values and national interests in an increasingly complex world.'

During the debate, the three opposition parties challenging the ruling centre-right government presented a joint foreign policy platform. Elections are due in September.

Bildt said the document lacked statements on the EU and also on Afghanistan, saying this reflected 'deep divisions' between the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Left Party.

On EU enlargement he noted that 'by allowing the doors of the EU to remain open, we make a considerable contribution to peace and democracy on our continent,' citing the Western Balkans.

On Turkey, Sweden would continue to work for its inclusion, Bildt said, citing that the EU 'will be both more dynamic economically and stronger politically with Turkey as a member.'

He also voiced concern over recent arrests of Turkish politicians.

Left Party lawmaker Hans Linde underlined that the opposition also welcomed Turkey as a future EU member if the country fulfilled membership criteria, but would move to recognize the 1915 killings of Armenians and other minorities under the Ottoman Empire.

Armenians and others have said these events were genocide, but Turkey has denied this.

On the Middle East, Bildt said 'it is of central importance for stability in the Middle East that a credible peace process between Israelis and Palestinians is established.'

Bildt and several lawmakers also mentioned Swedish-Eritrean journalist Dawit Isaak who was jailed in September 2001. The Eritrean government has never filed formal charges against Isaak.