Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan stated on Monday that Sweden lost Turkey's support for its NATO membership due to the burning of a copy of the Quran.
“So you will let terror organizations run wild on your avenues and streets and then expect our support for getting into NATO. That’s not happening,” Erdoğan said in a speech after a cabinet meeting.
During the weekend, a protest near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm included the burning of the Quran, which mounted tensions with Turkey.
"Those who allow such blasphemy in front of our embassy (in Stockholm) can no longer expect our support for their NATO membership," Erdoğan added.
He mentioned: "If you love members of terrorist organizations and enemies of Islam so much and protect them, then we advise you to seek their support for your countries' security."
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom declined to immediately comment on the Turkish President’s remarks.
However, Billstrom noted: "Sweden will respect the agreement that exists between Sweden, Finland, and Turkey regarding our NATO membership."
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