Incoming EU president Sweden: "Turkey's accession is a matter of strategic importance"

Sweden will try to open new chapters in Turkey's European Union accession negotiations when it assumes the EU presidency next week, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said yesterday. Calling Turkey an important energy partner for Europe, which needs alternative energy routes to avoid getting entangled in gas disputes between Ukraine and Russia, he said, "Look at a map. It's very clear that Turkish influence on the transportation of fossil fuel into Europe is very important. Turkey's accession to the 27-member bloc is of strategic importance." In related news, Swedish Ambassador to Ankara Christer Asp said yesterday that his country would do its best to open new chapters in Turkey's accession talks during its term presidency. "Turkey is a European country, and can make great contributions to the Union," he said. "Turkey itself will also greatly benefit from EU membership." However, he urged Turkey to speed up efforts to make EU reforms and to remove obstacles to the opening of new chapters, referring to the Cyprus issue.