Sweden to allocate 8.5 million euros per year to Turkey to conduct reforms

The website of the Swedish Government issued a statement on intentions to develop strategic cooperation with Turkey. The statement stressed that Turkey's joining the EU will be encouraged and supported by Sweden.

The statement also emphasized that Turkey will be supported in issues of democracy, equality and human rights. According to the statement, Turkey is one of the most important partners of Sweden, and reforms implemented in this country are of great importance.

The statement stresses that Sweden is ready to assist in the implementation in Turkey not only legal reforms, but reforms to attract women to the democratization process and projects related to minority rights. Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Center for Turkish-Swedish friendship under the Swedish Embassy in Istanbul will deal with coordinating the activity on development of cooperation between Turkey and Sweden.

SIDA, in particular, will provide the opportunity to Turkish students to take part in projects dedicated to human rights and democracy. Similar projects will be implemented in Turkey with Swedish students' participation.

According to the support program of the Swedish Government for 2010-2013, 87 million Swedish krona (about 8.5 million euros) will be allocated to Turkey each year, CNN Turk reported.


/Trend News/