Sweden’s Nato aspiration in jeopardy after Quran-burning protest
Rasmus Paludan burning a Quran.
Jan 22, 2023
Turkey has cancelled a visit by Sweden’s defence minister after Stockholm provided a far-right group with a permit to protest in front of its embassy yesterday.
The leader of the group, Rasmus Paludan burnt a Quran during the protest.
Turkish defence minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying that the visit by his Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson, scheduled on Jan 27 has “lost its significance and meaning”.
Jonson’s visit to Angkara was aimed at overcoming Turkey’s objections to Sweden’s bid to join the Nato military alliance.
Sweden and Finland needs Turkey’s consent for their bid to join Nato as the alliance requires all its members to agree whenever a new member is to be included.
Both countries had applied to join the Western military alliance due to the war in Ukraine.
Turkey has particularly been hostile towards Sweden’s application as the Scandinavian country hosts a significant number of its dissidents as well as members of Kurdish separatist groups, whom Angkara regards as terrorists.
Turkey will not get any agrement on Advanced Western fighters for replacing its aging 30-yesr old F-16Cs and Ds as long as it is deliberately placing sand onto Sweden's application to join NATO. They may be forced to buy the Russian Sukhois that India already cancelled, the ones that Russia dare not fly over Ukrainian controlled territory.
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