Burning of the Qur’an in Sweden exacerbates tensions with Turkey because of NATO’s offer – Politico

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Protests in Stockholm against Turkey, including the burning of a copy of the Koran, have heightened tensions at a time when the Scandinavian country needs Ankara’s support to enter NATO’s military alliance.

During Saturday’s protests in the Swedish capital, a far-right anti-immigration politician burned a copy of the Quran near the Turkish embassy, ​​according to media reports.

Turkey condemned the demonstration, describing it as “despicable” and canceled a planned visit by the Swedish Defense Minister to Ankara aimed at trying to address Turkey’s objections to Sweden’s accession to NATO.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the despicable attack on our holy book,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the talks with his Swedish counterpart, Pal Johnson, had been canceled because they had “lost their significance and meaning”.

Johnson tweeted on Saturday that he had met Akar on Friday in Germany, as they had “decided to postpone the planned meeting in Ankara to a later date”. The visit was scheduled for January 27.

“Relationships with Turkey are very important to Sweden and we look forward to continuing dialogue on common security and defense issues at a later date,” Johnson wrote.

The Quran was burned by Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish far-right Hard Line party, according to media reports.

A separate demonstration took place in Stockholm in support of the Kurds and against Sweden’s attempt to join NATO. A group of pro-Turkish protesters also held a rally outside the embassy, ​​according to reports.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström called the burning of the Qur’an “horrific” in a tweet on Saturday. “The anti-Islam provocations are appalling. Sweden has far-reaching freedom of expression, but it does not mean that the Swedish government, or I, endorse the views that are being expressed.

In a television interview on Sunday, Billstrom said the problems with Turkey are close to being resolved. “We are now very close to the moment when it is time for the Turkish parliament to start the ratification process,” Billstrom said in an interview with CBC News.

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