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Swedish government repeats support for EU enlargement
Published in Saudi Press Agency on 17 - 02 - 2010


Enlargement of the European Union and keeping
military forces in Afghanistan remained Swedish foreign policy
priorities, dpa quoted Foreign Minister Carl Bildt as saying today in presenting
the government's foreign policy statement.
Defending human rights, democracy and freedom of expression were
also key, he said.
These freedoms included the internet, Bildt said, adding that the
government was "concerned to note that information technology is
being abused to a growing extent by certain actions to combat the
free exchange of opinions, thoughts and ideas."
Bildt, who blogs daily on foreign policy matters, later told
reporters that he hoped Sweden would take a lead role in the field of
internet, which was becoming more and more important against the
backdrop of ongoing globalization.
The government's foreign policy statement also touched on free
trade, disarmament, climate change and global poverty reduction.
"Only by successfully completing our mission in Afghanistan can we
show that the losses (we) suffer are not in vain," Bildt earlier told
parliament, referring to the recent deaths of two Swedish soldiers in
Afghanistan.
While the commitment was "long-term," Bildt told reporters that
"the nature of the commitment will change," with Afghanistan taking
more and more responsibility for security.
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."
Asked about changes in the EU after the adoption of the Lisbon
Treaty, including the creation of a new president of the council of
EU member states and an EU foreign policy director, Bildt said "it
(the EU) will take its time to set up properly functioning
structures."
The process was similar to a presidential transition in the US, he
said.
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, adding that the EU "will be both more dynamic economically and
stronger politically with Turkey as a member."


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