Turkey has returned its ambassador to Sweden, after recalling him for consultations on March 11th. ITAR-TASS reports that the head of the Turkish diplomatic mission to Sweden stated before his flight to Stockholm that his recall had been a serious protest by Ankara against
the actions of the Swedish lawmakers.
On March 11th the Swedish parliament approved a resolution that recognised as fact the genocide of Armenians in 1915 during the Ottoman Empire. Turkey was deeply offended by this decision, and Korutyurk left on the first plight home for consultations. According to the diplomat, from that moment "much changed" in the position of officials in Stockholm.
"The Swedish government openly stated that it would not allow this decision to be passed through. Our foreign ministers met in Finland. We were told that the parliament's decision was incorrect. he Swedish Prime Minister also expressed his apologies", said Korutyurk. According to him, "the time came, and the political will appeared to return".
The Turkish ambassador expressed hope that, in future, "the Swedish government will do all that is necessary" to preserve strong interstate ties. An analogous resolution was accepted in early March at the Committee for Foreign Affairs of the US Congress. That decision also became a reason to recall the Turkish ambassador to Washington, Namik Tan. He still remains in Ankara, and no announcement has been made about the date of his return.
