**Sweden Clarifies Stance on LGBTQ Marriage in EU Membership Criteria**
In a significant move, the Swedish Foreign Ministry has clarified that the issue of LGBTQ marriage is not a formal requirement for membership in the European Union. This statement comes as a response to concerns raised by Georgia’s Parliament Speaker, Shalva Papuashvili.
Papuashvili took to Facebook to express his relief and gratitude towards Sweden’s clarification. He noted that this move reaffirms the validity of Georgia’s “Family Values and Protection of Minors” law, which enjoys widespread public support. The law aligns with the general principles of European integration, according to Papuashvili.
**Key Points: Clarification on LGBTQ Marriage**
* Sweden’s Minister for EU Affairs, Jessica Rosencrantz, confirmed that EU legislation does not require member states or candidate countries to adopt the concept of LGBTQ marriage in their laws.
* The Swedish government emphasized its commitment to supporting the rights of minorities, including the LGBTQ community, which is a core value of the European Union.
* Papuashvili sees this clarification as a vital step towards protecting Georgia’s national values and interests while pursuing EU membership.
The clarification by Sweden’s Ministry on LGBTQ marriage criteria has provided some clarity, but there are still many questions about how this will affect relationships between countries within the EU.
