Sweden will not have Turkish support for NATO, warns Recep Tayyip Erdogan
In this photo released by the Turkish Presidency, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talks after a cabinet meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Monday, Jan. 23, 2023. AP
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Since May, Turkey has demanded that Sweden extradite people accused of terrorism to lift its veto on the country's entry into NATO.
The insufficient progress on the file annoys Ankara and the anti-Turkish demonstrations of recent days in Stockholm have finished antagonizing Turkey.
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With our correspondent in Istanbul,
Céline Pierre-Magnani
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not mince words on Monday, January 23, in his address to the nation.
He devoted five minutes of his speech to castigating the complacent attitude of the Swedish authorities during the anti-Turkish demonstrations of recent days.
The authorization given to an Islamophobic activist to burn the Koran in front of the Turkish embassy on Saturday January 21 completes the attack on the Turkish president, who spoke bluntly:
“
It is clear that those who authorized such ignominy in front of our country's embassy can no longer expect a gesture from us regarding their membership in NATO.
You encourage the terrorist organizations that rage everywhere in our streets, then you claim our support for your NATO membership.
What world do you live in?
If you love, defend and protect members of terrorist organizations and enemies of Islam so much, then we advise you to hand over to them the mission of defending your country.
»
The visit of the Swedish Minister of Defense scheduled for Thursday 27 had already been canceled by the government.
With this last declaration, Sweden's entry into the Atlantic Alliance seems more compromised than ever.
► To re-read: Turkey cancels the visit of a Swedish minister after the authorization of a demonstration against Ankara
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Turkey
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Sweden
NATO