Ankara, The Indonesia Post – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Sweden should not expect permission from Turkey to join NATO if they do not show respect for Muslims.
“Those who allow such insults in front of our embassy should not expect favor from us for their application to become a member of NATO,” Erdogan said after a cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara on Monday.
Erdogan’s firm statement came after Rasmus Paludan, a Danish right-wing politician, on Saturday burned the Al-Qur`an (Koran) in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, on Saturday (21/1) with permission from the government and local police protection.
“If you do not respect the religious beliefs of the Republic of Turkey or Muslims, you will not receive any support for NATO (membership) from us,” Erdogan said.
He emphasized that no one has the right and is free to insult the beliefs of Muslims or other religions and beliefs.
Erdogan also warned Sweden again about the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), which Turkey has declared a terror group.
He warned that if Sweden expected Turkey’s support to join NATO then Sweden should not protect the group.
“We have said from the beginning, you protect the terrorist groups that are roaming the streets and everywhere, and then you expect us to support you joining NATO. Nothing of the sort. Don’t expect support from us.”
“If they really love members of terrorist organizations and enemies of Islam, we suggest that (Sweden) leave the country’s defense to them,” Erdogan said, adding.
The PKK is blacklisted and considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. The group is said to be responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
Sweden and Finland officially signed up to join NATO in May last year, a decision sparked by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
But Turkey, a Nato member for more than 70 years, expressed reservations and accused the two countries of tolerating and supporting terror groups, including the PKK.
But in June 2022, Turkey and the two Nordic countries signed a memorandum addressing Ankara’s concerns for Turkey’s national security regarding their stance on terror groups.
The agreement gradually paved the way for the two countries to join NATO.
However, recent provocative demonstrations by supporters of terrorist and Islamophobic groups in Stockholm have led Turkish leaders to question Sweden’s commitment to taking further steps to gain NATO membership. (mhn/bbs)
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