(Prague Monitor) Sweden’s prospective entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is uncertain due to concerns arising from incidents of Quran burning, as highlighted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his return from Hungary. Erdogan’s remarks underscore a potential hurdle in the approval process within the Turkish parliament, as reported by the Turkish press. The Turkish president emphasized that estimating the duration required for ratifying Sweden’s application remains elusive. Originally, Turkey’s objections to Sweden’s NATO membership were centered on perceived inadequacies in its counter-terrorism efforts.
Erdogan accentuated the necessity for Swedish authorities to address events unfolding on the “streets of Stockholm.” This reference pertains to instances of Quran burning and desecration occurring during protests in the Swedish capital. Erdogan conveyed that if these actions targeting sacred elements persist and if order is not restored in their streets, Sweden’s aspirations should not be met with surprise.
