Turkish EU minister faces student protest in Sweden

ISTANBUL

AA photo

Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs Egemen Bağış has been confronted by the protest of three Turkish students during his official visit to the Swedish capital of Stockholm, daily Hürriyet has reported.

The students were removed from the room where Bağış was appearing, after shouting slogans and raising placards that said: "We are the soldiers of Mustafa Kemal."

When asked about the ongoing negotiation process between the Turkish government and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) during the visit, Bağış said he was hopeful. "Everyone has understood that terrorism is not the right method. Our hopes are raising for the peace each day ... A terrorist organisation can not be tolerated."

Bağış is continuing his official visit to Stockholm to hold meetings with the Swedish EU minister, foreign minister and development minister.

Sweden is a supporter of Turkey's EU membership bid.