Swedish Ambassador Asp Speaks To A.A.

ANKARA - Swedish Ambassador in Ankara Christer Asp said on Sunday that the European Union wanted to see a long-term political solution to problem of PKK terrorism.
In an exclusive interview with the A.A correspondent, Asp responded to questions on Turkey`s EU negotiation process, Cyprus problem and Turkish-Swedish relations.
Asp said, "there is a better understanding in the EU about the problems Turkey suffered from PKK terrorism. The EU saw PKK as a terrorist organization and acted in line with this."
Indicating that efforts of the Turkish government to find a political solution about fight against terrorism were obvious, Asp said, "only a political solution can settle the problem in the long term. This is what we see in Turkey now."
Asp recalled that EU ambassadors in Ankara talked to Democratic Society Party (DTP) Group Chairman Ahmet Turk last October, stating that Turk was told that DTP should put a distance with the terrorist organization PKK.
"Turk said DTP rejected violence and terrorism. However, he did not say what I actually wanted to hear from him. He did not say DTP accepts PKK as a terrorist organization," Asp noted.
Asp also underscored the importance of economic investment and education in development of Southeastern Anatolia region.
Commenting on Turkey`s EU negotiation process, the ambassador said Sweden strongly supported Turkey`s accession to the EU, and stated that, "EU made a decision in 2005 to launch talks with Turkey. This means Turkey will become an EU member if it fulfills its obligations."
On the progress report of the European Commission published in November, Asp said this was a "very balanced and fair" report, indicating that the report talked about both the positive and negative elements. He said it is European Commission`s duty to point to the deficiencies in the accession talks.
Swedish Ambassador said, "we hope the Turkish government will re-start reform process. Signals coming from the government indicate that reform package would most probably be revealed in December."
Asp said pace of the reforms slowed down in Turkey, "parliamentary elections in July was one of the main reasons of the slow-down". He said continuation of the reform process was very important for the pace of the accession talks.
Asp said there may be ups and downs in talks with Turkey as it happens in every negotiation process. "Turkey will be the biggest country that will join the EU so far. Accordingly, there may be some difficulties. Political decisiveness in the EU and the Turkish government is very important," he remarked.
Swedish Ambassador said Turkey`s accession to the EU would enrich EU culture. "10 years ago, Sweden had hesitations about Turkey`s entrance to the EU stemming from the situation of human rights and democracy. Turkey has changed during this time. The changes in question will be in the interest of both Turkey and the EU."
Asp defended that Cyprus question had to be resolved before Turkey becomes a member of the EU, and underscored that, "EU made promises that the blockade on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) would be removed, but failed to display this decisiveness. Sweden feels sorry for this. We made some steps but there should be more."
The ambassador said Sweden thinks that Cyprus question should be solved under the U.N. umbrella.