In response to a protest in Stockholm where an effigy of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was shown from its feet, Turkey has summoned Sweden’s ambassador to Ankara.
According to a Turkish diplomatic source, Staffan Herrstrom, Sweden’s ambassador to Turkey, was called to the foreign ministry on Thursday and informed of Ankara’s response.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, Sweden asked to join NATO and has been requesting Turkey’s permission to do so.
Sweden, according to Ankara, needs to take a stronger position against the People’s Protection Units (PPU), which Turkey views as the PKK’s Syrian affiliate (YPG).
While Sweden, which is a member of the European Union, only views the PKK as a “terrorist” organization, Turkey labels both groups as “terrorist” organizations.
In 2022, Finland, Sweden, and Turkey agreed to a trilateral deal to resolve Ankara’s concerns about their NATO membership.
Our expectation that the incident’s culprits be found, the required procedures be followed, and Sweden keep its word was emphasized, the diplomatic source said.
The Swedish foreign ministry confirmed that the ambassador had been summoned to the Turkish foreign ministry, but it would not elaborate on what had been discussed.
Regarding “insulting content” against Erdogan on Swedish public service television, Herrstrom was earlier called in October.
Turkish authorities have previously brought up the protest scenes in Stockholm, with Erdogan stating that PKK members shouldn’t be allowed to parade through Sweden.
On Thursday, video posted by government supporters Turkish media channels broadcast what they claimed to be PKK protesters hanging an effigy of Erdogan from the city hall in Stockholm. The video showed hardly nobody at all.
Tobias Billstrom, the foreign minister of Sweden, said his government denounced the act but made no specific mention of any one nation.
He stated on Twitter that “the government protects an open discussion of political options, but emphatically distinguishes itself from threats and hatred against political leaders.”
The prime minister of Sweden stated on Sunday that Stockholm was certain Turkey would approve its NATO application but would not adhere to all of Ankara’s requirements.
Fahrettin Altun, the director of communications for the Turkish presidency, posted on Twitter, “That PKK terrorist may question the Swedish government at the heart of Stockholm is proof that the Swedish authorities have not taken required steps against terrorism.”
Since 1984, the PKK has been fighting for independence from the Turkish government.
Since then, tens of thousands of people have died.
However, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which the West has supported in the war against ISIL (ISIS), are led by the YPG, causing problems with Turkey.
