The Swedish government stresses that it seeks to maintain “good diplomatic relations” with Rabat
June 30 () –
The Government of Sweden has assured this Friday that it seeks to maintain “good diplomatic relations” with Morocco and has regretted Rabat’s decision to call its ambassador for consultations “indefinitely” as a protest gesture after the burning on Wednesday of a copy of the Koran during a demonstration in front of a mosque in the capital, Stockholm.
“The Government values and works to further develop good bilateral relations with Morocco,” sources from the Swedish Foreign Ministry have told Europa Press. “We regret that Morocco has decided to call its ambassador for consultations,” they added.
The Moroccan government announced its decision to call its ambassador to Sweden, Karim Medrek, for consultations, after the Swedish authorities authorized the burning of a copy of the Koran during the protest, an event that it described as “offensive and irresponsible.”
Authorities from various Arab and Muslim countries have charged the Swedish authorities for granting permission to the demonstration and Arab League secretary Ahmed Abul Gheit stressed on Thursday that “it is the responsibility of governments not to incite extremism or tolerate those who promote ideas of hatred and Islamophobia”.
