Tobias Billström is the Foreign Minister of the Swedish government led by Conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, in power since October 18. A member of the Moderates (right), he was Minister for Migration and Asylum Policy from 2006 to 2014. The government coalition, made up of Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals, is supported in Parliament by the party of extreme right of the Swedish Democrats, with whom the right-wing parties have signed an agreement on the political program for the next four years.
Where are you in discussions with Turkey on your NATO membership?
Our intention is to become a member of NATO as quickly as possible. With Turkey, Sweden and Finland signed, at the NATO summit in Madrid in June, a memorandum which sets security conditions. Some relate to the fight against crime, and I want to point out something that tends to be obscured by Turkish demands, we also have a great interest in Turkey’s cooperation in the fight against crime. The dialogue between our three countries continues.
To what extent will you accept the extradition of Turkish Kurds, requested by Ankara?
All the conditions set by the memorandum must be respected by the three parties, before the ratification of the Turkish Parliament. But everything must be done in compliance with the rules set by our Constitution and the principles of the rule of law. This was made very clear to our Turkish interlocutors. There is thus a European convention on extradition, which we have signed and which we must follow. The judiciary is independent. The government cannot interfere.
Concerning the PKK, it is an organization considered as terrorist by the European Union. So there is absolutely no space for this organization on Swedish territory. Regarding the PYD and the YPG, these are Syrian organizations identified in the memorandum, which Sweden and Finland undertake not to support.
Regarding the war in Ukraine, do you think this is the time to talk about negotiations, as President Emmanuel Macron does?
The only country that can call for negotiations is Ukraine. So far, we can see that standing up against Putin, against his senseless and brutal war has paid off for all of us, who have provided political, military and financial support. We must aim for the defeat of Russia on the battlefield. If we don’t, the threats will only come back later. But we must recognize when a war must be won. This is exactly why Sweden has just decided on a new support package for Ukraine, the ninth, and larger on its own than the previous eight.
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