The US State Department has stated that Finland and Sweden are ready to join the NATO alliance, following Turkey's decision to refuse support for Sweden's membership. The move comes after President Tayyip Erdogan raised objections to a recent protest near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm, which included the burning of the Quran. The US State Department has condemned the burning of holy books as a deeply disrespectful act.
State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters that "something can be lawful but awful."
Sweden's NATO membership had been put in question after Turkey warned Sweden not to expect support for its bid, following the weekend protests in Stockholm by an anti-Islam activist and pro-Kurdish groups.
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President Erdogan has made it clear that if Sweden and Finland do not show respect to other NATO members and the Muslim community, they will not receive support from Turkey for their NATO membership. The burning of a holy book, which occurred during the protest, has sparked anger and condemnation from people and political leaders around the world.
The US' comments on Sweden and Finland's membership immediately following Turkey's announcement highlights the divided stance of NATO members on the addition of these two new countries.
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President Erdogan also criticized Sweden for allowing pro-Kurdish protests to wave flags of various Kurdish groups, including the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is identified as a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States. He stated that countries that allow such protests in front of their embassies can no longer expect support from Turkey in terms of NATO membership and must be aware of the consequences of allowing such demonstrations.
