According to the Swedish government, tensions with Turkey over Islamophobic activities are affecting the country’s NATO accession process. The incidents of recent weeks have led to a temporary halt to the NATO process, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said today, according to the Expressen newspaper.
The Swedish government is investing time and effort to move forward again and still hopes that the process can be completed in the summer. A few days ago, Sweden’s prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, was also optimistic about this issue.
Cancellation by Erdogan
Sweden, together with Finland, wants to become a member of the Western military alliance as a result of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. NATO member Turkey has so far refused to accept admission.
Earlier this week, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Sweden could not count on his country’s support for membership after an Islamophobic politician burned a Koran near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm.