Addressing the Swedish Parliament on Wednesday, Bildt said Sweden’s foreign policy always ought to be geared to the EU.

Bildt also pointed out that his country would continue to endorse Turkey in its bid to become a member of the European Union.

Speaking of Swedish participation in NATO missions, the foreign minister conceded that Sweden was ready to sustain its engagement within the alliance without becoming a full member.

Urban Ahlin, foreign policy spokesperson of the opposition Social Democrats, called Bildt’s address a document of cowardice.

Speaking in parliament after the foreign minister, Ahlin accused Bildt of not having taken up crucial questions such as human rights and cluster weapons.

Sweden should openly criticize interrogation methods like the so called water boarding as used by the United States. Ahlin added that the center right coalition government was not doing enough in order to fight the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Source: By Sveriges Radio 2008