MADRID. Ann Linde guarantees that Sweden will not deport people who have not been proven terrorists.
– We have not weighed in on Erdogan, she says.
The Foreign Minister also says that the agreement with Kakabaveh on in-depth support for the Kurdish PYD only applied until the Riksdag closed before the summer last week.
Foreign Minister Ann Linde (S) receives Aftonbladet at a hotel in central Madrid, the day after the marathon meeting with Turkey and Finland.
– It was very difficult negotiations, she says.
What is your impression of Erdogan as a negotiator?
– I would still like to say constructive. He listened to our arguments. Then all negotiations are to give and take. We had clear parts that we could not accept, they had clear parts that they could not accept. Then you have to slowly try to grind your way to something that is still acceptable.
There is no need to worry
Critics believe that Sweden is important to Erdogan, how do you respond to that?
– We have not weighed in on Erdogan. The whole question is about the assessment that after Russia’s invasion, the security policy line we have is not enough, that we need security guarantees and a membership in NATO. When we have made that assessment, it is important that we can deliver. Of course, I would have been happier if Turkey had not made any demands, now they did and we took their concerns seriously.
The agreement with Turkey also contains a section on the extradition of persons whom Turkey classifies as terrorists. Ann Linde says, however, that people in Sweden do not need to feel any anxiety.
– We will not have any extraditions where there is no evidence of terrorist activity. There is no reason at all for Kurds to believe that their human rights or their democratic rights would be curtailed, she says.
The agreement with Kakabaveh
Do you see no problem that Sweden and Turkey have different views on who is a terrorist?
– It has not changed. We believe that the PKK is classified as a terrorist. As for the PYD, the YPG and what in Turkey is called the FETO (Gülen movement), it is about not supporting them when it comes to something that could directly threaten Turkey’s security, that is, arms and money and so on. We do not do that today either, now it is clearly printed.
The Social Democrats have an agreement with Amineh Kakabaveh to deepen cooperation with the PYD, will we be able to continue with that?
– That agreement applies to 2021-2022, until the Riksdag closes, and is between the party and Kakabaveh.
The Riksdag closed last week, when the Speaker gave a closing speech in the House.
What happens to the agreement now?
– It is up to the Social Democrats to decide.
Everyone can demand mistrust
Can we continue to have an in-depth collaboration with PYD?
– What we enter into in the agreement is that we undertake not to provide support to PYD, YPG and FETO. We do not classify them as terrorists in any way. Everything that concerns the party’s agreements must be answered by the party.
Kakabaveh threatens to make a motion of censure against you, how do you comment on that?
– All members of the Swedish Parliament have the right to demand distrust of whoever they want. I understand that since Kakabaveh does not want us to join NATO, she is obviously very upset about it. But this is a policy that has broad support in the Riksdag. That’s what I have to say about this.
Ann Linde says that she now believes that the problems with Turkey have been dealt with and that new ones are not likely to arise.
– There have been many conversations on many levels. It is threshed and nothing is done on one hip.
When can we become full members of NATO?
– It should be the case that within a year we have a ratification.
A: We always keep agreements entered into
Aftonbladet has asked the Social Democrats for a comment on the agreement with Kakabaveh. The party’s press service responds in an email:
“Social Democrats always keep agreements. The Social Democrats’ agreement with Amineh Kakabaveh is about political cooperation for the parliamentary period 21/22. The final Swedish accession to NATO will take place only after the end of the parliamentary term.
What the government has agreed on is not to support the PYD with weapons, money or aid that directly threatens Turkey’s internal security, which is not done today. The Swedish government does not support the PYD with weapons or financially. “