Erdogan: As long as the Qur'an is burnt in Sweden it won’t be a NATO member

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: aa.com.tr

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Ankara will not approve Sweden's NATO membership bid as long as the Qur'an is being burnt there, reports aa.com.tr.

President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in his speech at the party's Parliamentary Group Meeting, stated that at the same time, the issue of Finland's admission to NATO could be resolved positively.

“Sweden, do not worry about it; we will not say 'yes' to your entry into NATO as long as you allow my holy book, the Qur'an, to be burned and torn and this to be done together with your bodyguards. "Our view on Finland is positive, but not on Sweden. Know that as well," Erdogan said.

On January 21, 2023, despite the protests of the Turkish authorities, the leader of the Danish far-right Hard Line party, Rasmus Paludan, held a rally with the burning of the Qur'an in Stockholm near the Turkish Embassy.

The action was carried out in agreement with the Swedish authorities. Thus, Paludan protested against Turkish President Erdogan, who is blocking the admission of Sweden to NATO.

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