Sweden will not compromise on freedom of expression or the rule of law, Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said on Wednesday.
Diplomatic relations between Stockholm and Ankara are on edge. Sweden he is not going to compromise with freedom of expression or the rule of law, Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Wednesday, responding to Turkish President Erdogan’s comments.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said earlier this week that as long as Sweden allows books of the Koran to be burned and destroyed, Turkey will not agree to Sweden’s application to join NATO.
This was done on the occasion of an event that took place on January 21, when Danish-Swedish citizen Rasmus Paludan burned a Koran near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm, which led to protests throughout the Muslim world and angered Ankara.
In response, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said Sweden has an extensive freedom of expression charter and has no intention of curtailing it.
“We do not compromise on freedom of expression, it is very clear what is required for Sweden to become a member of NATO and that is that we meet the requirements that exist in the tripartite memorandum. And we will do this within the framework set by our constitution, our legislation and the principles of the rule of law,” he said.
He pointed out that Sweden has brought results to all parts of the agreement reached between Sweden, Finland and Turkey on NATO membership.
“We continue to implement it. Religion is not part of the deal, but having said that, I understand that the Turkish side is upset about something that it was certainly legal, but not respectable”he said.
“At the moment there is an election campaign in Turkey and in election campaigns many things are said and many things are seen to be said, this always happens. It is in this light that we have to look at these statements,” added Billstrom.
The Swedish foreign minister insisted that the situation must now “calm down on both sides”, as Sweden intends to continue talks with Turkey on the implementation of this agreement at the level of officials.
However, the situation may not be that simple, as the far-right Sweden Democrats who support the current governing coalition (made up of the Moderate, Christian Democratic and Liberal parties) have risen up against Erdogan’s demands.
Sweden Democrat MP Richard Lomsoff, chairman of the Justice Committee, said in an interview with Dagens Industri that Sweden should never give in to Turkish threats, adding on the issue of burning Koran books: “If they get angry, burn a hundred more.” .
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
