ISTANBUL - Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc left for Sweden on Sunday upon invitation of Swedish Parliament Speaker Bjorn Von Sydow.
Holding a news conference at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul before flying to Stockholm, Arinc said that there were deep-rooted relations between Turkey and Sweden.
''I believe that close relations between the two and cooperation in context of EU accession process will be further strengthened,'' he underlined.
Arinc will meet representatives of Turkish community in Sweden, and attend dinner to be hosted in his honor by Turkish Ambassador to Sweden Necip Eguz.
On May 8th, Arinc will meet Stockholm Mayor Barry Andersson, Swedish government officials, Parliament Speaker Bjorn Von Sydow, and Swedish-Turkish Friendship Group Chairman Goran Lindbland.
Arinc will have talks with members of the Swedish Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Commission, address Swedish parliament, and participate in a reception to be hosted by Sydow on May 9th.
Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc will be received by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, and meet Swedish Deputy PM Bosse Ringholm the same day.
On May 10th, Arinc will hold a press conference for Turkish businessmen, and receive Swedish Church's Archbishop KG Hammer.
Arinc will return to Turkey on Wednesday.