STOCKHOLM - ''Swedish support to Turkey's European Union bid will strengthen Turkey's membership chances and have a positive impact on the EU itself,'' said Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc on Monday.
Arinc and his delegation met Swedish Parliament Speaker Bjorn Von Sydow at Sydow's office today.
Sydow told Arinc that all the deputies in the Swedish parliament are in favor of Turkey's EU membership. ''We believe that Turkey's membership is important for the EU. We are closely watching the reforms being made in Turkey,'' noted Sydow.
Sydow indicated that ''it is pleasing to see developments in the areas of democratization and human rights in Turkey.''
Meanwhile, Arinc thanked Sydow for the support that the Swedish parliament has extended to Turkey during its membership talks. ''An EU in which Turkey is a member will be a major global power,'' stated Arinc.
Arinc and his delegation later met Carl B. Hamilton, Deputy Chairman of the Parliamentary EU Affairs Committee.