Sweden desires to strengthen relations with Muslim nations, the Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom stated, because the nation drew criticism over the repeated desecration of the Quran within the nation.
In an announcement, the Foreign Ministry on Saturday stated that Billstrom had a dialog with greater than 20 ambassadors of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states within the capital Stockholm on Friday.
He stated they’ve had “a fruitful and constructive meeting,” including he’s eager to proceed “open and constructive dialogue.”
“Restoring trust and confidence takes time. I will devote a substantial part of this electoral period to strengthening relationships with Muslim countries,” Billstrom added.
He stated his authorities “strongly rejects” the burnings of copies of holy scriptures, including that the Justice Ministry has initiated an evaluation and is engaged on the phrases of reference for an inquiry to evaluate the Public Order Act.
“I intend to travel to OIC countries, and Sweden will host discussions and dialogues in connection with the UN General Assembly in New York in September,” he added.
Also talking to the Swedish news company TT after the assembly, Billstrom stated that the assembly was “a good opportunity to explain the government’s approach and its constitutional freedoms” within the face of the incidents, Radio Sweden reported.
Earlier this week, Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer stated that one potential resolution to forestall the desecration of the Quran may very well be to make use of emergency powers that the federal government can wield beneath the Public Order Act.
Jakob Forssmed, the Swedish social affairs minister, additionally had a gathering with representatives from completely different faith-based organizations within the Swedish capital on Friday.
Recent months have seen repeated acts of Quran burning, desecration, or makes an attempt to take action by Islamophobic figures or teams, particularly in northern European and Nordic nations.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
