Anti-Turkey protests in Stockholm, including the burning of the Koran, have heightened tensions at a time when Sweden needs Ankara’s support, Politico writes.
Protests in the Swedish capital took place on Saturday, the 21st of January, and a copy of the Quran was also set on fire in front of the Turkish embassy. The action was organized by Rasmus Paludan, the leader of the Danish far-right party Hard Line. Turkey has condemned it, and the planned visit of the Swedish defense minister to Ankara, which was supposed to discuss Turkey’s objections to Sweden’s accession to NATO, was also canceled. Turkey’s foreign minister said:
«We condemn in the strongest possible terms the vile attack on our holy book.»
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar informed that the talks with his Swedish counterpart Pål Jonson have been canceled because they have lost their meaning.
In a separate protest in Stockholm, participants supported the Kurds and opposed Sweden joining NATO. People also gathered at the Turkish embassy for a demonstration in support of Turkey.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström called the Quran burning appalling and said that while freedom of speech is respected in Sweden, such provocations do not mean that the Swedish government or he himself supports them. On Sunday, the 22nd of January, Billström gave an interview on television and indicated that the disagreements with Turkey have almost been resolved, and that Sweden is close to getting the support of the Turkish parliament and being able to start the process of joining NATO.
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