Speaker urges Swedish Embassy to clarify over requirement when making decisions regarding candidate countries

“Naming legalization of same-sex marriage by the Swedish Prime Minister as one of the prerequisites for the EU accession, actually contradicting EU membership requirements, is concerning,” wrote Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Facebook.

According to the Speaker, it is important for the Swedish Embassy to clarify whether there is a requirement to legalize same-sex marriage when making decisions regarding candidate countries.

“Naming legalization of same-sex marriage by the Swedish Prime Minister as one of the prerequisites for the EU accession, actually contradicting EU membership requirements, is concerning.

Considering that even one member of the European Union can block the integration process of a candidate country, it is important for the Swedish Embassy to clarify, Is the Swedish Prime Minister’s statement on the legalization of same-sex marriage part of Sweden’s official position when making decisions regarding candidate countries?” he said.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that the legalization of same-sex unions is an important condition for Ukraine’s European integration. He announced this after meeting with Ukrainian LGBT veterans and representatives of the Swedish LGBT organization RFSL at his official residence. Kristersson emphasized that Sweden, as a “strong supporter of Ukraine”, will “closely monitor the fulfilment of this requirement.”