The Swedish government has conducted “intensive diplomacy” towards Muslim countries during the UN General Assembly in New York
The goal: to try to “repair” Sweden’s image after the Koran burnings.
But there was no meeting with Turkey, the main obstacle to a yes to Swedish entry into NATO.
– No, we were at the same dinner but didn’t have the opportunity to talk, says Tobias Billström to TT about his Turkish colleague.
However, Billström got the chance to exchange a few words with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó. He recently wrote a warning letter to Billström about a four-year-old video clip from UR that has started circulating in Hungarian media again, a clip about Hungarian democracy in decline. According to Szijjártó, the spread of such claims can affect Sweden’s path to NATO.
Met Hungary
But according to Billström, the situation report from Hungary was the same as before in New York.
– He confirmed that Hungary will not be the last to ratify Sweden, says Billström.
And Billström has no reason yet to believe that Turkey would not begin the process of ratification in October, when the Turkish parliament reopens.
Tobias Billström says that he met and spoke with around thirty representatives of Muslim countries and organizations during the days in New York.
Been valuable
– There have been valuable meetings and this intensive diplomacy also makes a difference. In the talks, I have emphasized that the government distances itself from Islamophobic manifestations and that the actions of individuals are not representative of either the state or the majority population in Sweden, says Billström.
One of the first meetings was with the Islamic Cooperation Organization’s OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha, who has a standing invitation to come to Sweden.
Billström devoted a significant part of his speech before the general assembly to Koran burnings in Sweden, the sharp reactions to them and the conditions for Muslims in Sweden. He spoke of the burnings as disrespectful.
Violations
– These desecrations are carried out by extremists and provocateurs who want to sow division between Muslims and non-Muslims, said Billström, adding that these provocateurs should not be allowed to win.
– Over the years, Sweden has received a large number of Muslims and has strived to integrate them and their children into society, said Billström.
He emphasized that freedom of religion, assembly, speech and demonstration are constitutional rights in Sweden. And those freedoms have served Sweden well, contributed to cohesion and made Sweden a free and open country.
But Billström also mentioned that the government has started work on revising the ordinance that regulates the police’s ability to say no to meetings.
Although, according to Billström, Muslim representatives are concerned about the relationship with Sweden and perceive that Sweden takes their criticism about offensive burnings seriously, much work remains.
– The fact that we have talks is a long-term way of restoring, or rather repairing, the damage to Sweden’s image that has occurred. But there is no quick fix for this.