A supporter of a religious group Jamaat-e-Islami holds a copy of Islam's holy book Quran as he with others take part in a rally, in Islamabad, Pakistan, July 3, 2023, against the desecration of Islam's holy book Quran that took place in Sweden. (PHOTO / AP)
ANKARA – Sweden's failure to prevent provocations, including the recent burning of a Quran, raises concerns about Sweden's NATO bid, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Tuesday.
"Sweden's security system is not able to stop provocations. This is not bringing more strength, but more problems to NATO in terms of strategy and security at a time when Sweden's membership to NATO is being discussed," he said.
Ankara would still approve Sweden's membership to NATO if Stockholm "completes its homework," referring to the fight against terror groups, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said
However, Fidan said Ankara would still approve Sweden's membership to NATO if Stockholm "completes its homework," referring to the fight against terror groups.
Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO last year but faced objections from Türkiye on the grounds that the two countries harbor members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Gulen movement.
Türkiye eventually lifted its objection to Finland earlier this year after the Nordic country took "concrete steps" against such groups, and the country went on to become NATO's 31st member in April. But Ankara maintains its veto of Sweden.
READ MORE: Swedish PM: NATO talks with Türkiye to resume in mid-March
The military alliance will hold a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12, at which NATO wants to finalize Sweden's admission process.
