Swedish Foreign Minister Says Genocide Vote was a ‘Mistake’

Turkey has withdrawn its ambassador to Sweden after the parliament voted narrowly to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The Turkish government condemned the resolution, saying it was "based upon major errors and without foundation."

According to the BBC, the Swedish government opposed the opposition resolution but it passed by one vote after some MPs voted against party lines.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan cancelled a visit to Stockholm scheduled next week and issued a statement criticizing the vote.

"Our people and our government reject this decision based upon major errors and without foundation," said the statement.

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said the vote was a "mistake" but that it did not change the position of his government, which supports Turkey's entry into the EU.

The Swedish vote comes less than a week after the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee approved a similar resolution recognizing the Armenia Genocide — by 23 votes to 22 — despite strong Turkish lobbying not to. That vote also sparked anger from Turkey and the recall of its ambassador to Washington.

More than 20 countries worldwide have recognized the Armenian Genocide.