Swedish foreign minister seeks to develop close cooperation with Türkiye

By Atila Altuntas

STOCKHOLM (AA) – Sweden’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said on Wednesday that she “looks forward to develop close cooperation” with Türkiye.

“I will continue to have a close cooperation with Türkiye not least as ally partners in NATO and I look forward to develop this cooperation,” Stenergard told Anadolu.

Regarding Israel’s brutal onslaught on the Gaza Strip, she said Sweden's policy on Palestine and Israel is peace-oriented.

The official stressed the need for a "two-state solution” and called on to "silence the weapons.”

Israel has continued a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 Hamas attack despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 41,000 people, mostly women and children, have since been killed and nearly 95,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.

An ongoing blockade of the enclave has led to severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.

Israel faces accusations of genocide for its actions in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.

- Stockholm to continue to support Ukraine

Regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine, Stenergard said Stockholm will continue to support Ukraine "as long as it takes."

She said “it will be a very important priority” for her to keep supporting Ukraine from “economic, political, humanitarian and military” perspectives.

Swedish state television SVT announced that Stenergard will make her first foreign trip to Türkiye on Sept. 18, 2024.

Stenergard succeeded Tobias Billstrom in a significant Cabinet reshuffle announced on Tuesday. She previously served as migration minister.

Her appointment comes amid the country’s recent shift from its traditional non-alignment stance to joining NATO, a major diplomatic achievement facilitated by Billstrom during his tenure.

Stenergard’s appointment signals a focus on maintaining Sweden's proactive stance within NATO and continuing its unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

*Writing by Merve Berker