Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, has given a hint that, his nation is not prepared to confirm Sweden’s NATO accession, claiming that, Stockholm need to put more effort into the “homework” it still needs to finish.
Erdogan reiterated his criticism of a Quran-burning rally that occurred in Sweden last week in remarks made following a Cabinet meeting, calling the incident a hate crime against Muslims.
“We have made it clear that the determined fight against terrorist organizations and Islamophobia are our red line. Everyone must accept that Turkey’s friendship cannot be won by supporting terrorism or making space for terrorists.”
Recep Tayipp Erdogan, President of Turkey.
Due to accusations that Sweden has been too tolerant with anti-Islamic protests and organizations that Ankara views as security concerns, Turkey has postponed approving Sweden’s participation in the military alliance. These include violent Kurdish factions who have been fighting a deadly insurgency in Turkey for decades.
Tens of thousands of people have died as a result of the PKK, or Kurdistan Workers’ Party, 38-year insurgency against Turkey. The United States and the European Union have labeled it as a terrorist group.
NATO hopes to fully integrate Sweden by the time the organization’s leader’s meet in Lithuania on July 11 and 12, but Erdogan claimed Stockholm still had commitments to achieve. Turkey and Hungary are the only nations that have not yet confirmed Sweden’s application to join NATO, and NATO expansion requires the unanimous consent of all current members.
However, Hungarian parliamentarians have stated that, the long-delayed parliamentary vote on approving Sweden’s NATO membership will not take place until the autumn legislative session.
“Instead of wasting time with distraction tactics, we believe that keeping promises will be a more rational, more beneficial method. We advise them to scrutinize themselves and do their homework better.”
Recep Tayipp Erdogan.
Erdogan was alluding to a pact that Sweden, Finland, and Turkey inked last year in which they committed to resolve Ankara’s worries. The memorandum made no mention of combating Islamophobia.
On the other hand, last week, Swedish police permitted a demonstration outside a mosque in central Stockholm, claiming free expression, after a court reversed the restriction on a similar Quran-burning.
“The vile attack on our holy book, the Holy Quran, in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, enraged us all. This perverted disregard for the feelings of 2 billion Muslims cannot be compatible with the most basic human values, let alone freedom of thought.”
Recep Tayipp Erdogan.
After Russia invaded Ukraine last year, Sweden and Finland renounced their customary military neutrality to seek security under NATO’s shield. They were worried that Moscow may target them. Finland joined the alliance earlier this year after Turkey’s parliament approved its proposal.
Since seeking for NATO membership, Sweden has changed its anti-terror laws, but Turkey claims that sympathizers of militant groups are permitted to gather in the nation, organize protests, find recruits, and raise money.
In an effort to diffuse Turkish concerns over Sweden joining the military alliance, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg this week scheduled a meeting of top officials from Turkey, Sweden, and Finland for July 6.
The possibility of Sweden, not being admitted in NATO, seems quiet higher, with Ankara taking an entrenched stance and Budapest’s parliament delay to approve Stockholm’s bid.
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