Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces
Hamas: A delegation from the Hamas leadership, led by the head of the leadership council, Mohammad Darwish, met with an Islamic Jihad delegation, headed by its Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah

Sweden urges 'functioning dialogue' with Turkey after series of fails

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 25 Jan 2023 10:15
4 Min Read

Even with the current events aside, Sweden's anxiety comes amid hints from Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto of the possibility of Finland proceeding with its NATO application alone.

  • x
  • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson holding a joint news conference in Ankara in November 2022 (Anadolu Agency)
    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at a joint news conference in Ankara in November 2022 (Anadolu Agency)

Sweden is scrambling to mend the pieces with Turkey amid its attempt to get into NATO following the series of events, such as Swedish MP Jimmie Akersson calling Erdogan an 'Islamist dictator', and the burning of the Quran in Stockholm, which are not only weakening Sweden's case but is actually making it impossible.

At a press conference, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stressed the "seriousness" of the matter, saying, "This is real. It is the worst thing we have experienced since World War II... No national security issue is more important than that we and Finland quickly become members of NATO."
 
Even with the current events aside, Sweden's anxiety comes amid hints from Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto of the possibility of Finland proceeding with its NATO application without Sweden. When asked whether Finland should move as quickly as Sweden in seeking clearance for the proposal, Haavisto told Finnish radio YLE that while simultaneous NATO accession would be ideal "from the standpoint of both countries' security," it remained that "we have to be ready to re-evaluate the situation."

Read next: Turkey calls off Swedish Defense Minister's visit to Ankara

In light of that, Kristersson expressed that he "understood Finland’s frustration" and said it cannot be banned from NATO if Sweden were to be "permanently excluded." However, the Swedish PM urged for more "functioning dialog" with Turkey, saying "I think that this incredibly heated atmosphere, in Sweden and worldwide, is bad for Sweden's security."

Another day, another fail

Sweden's recent and continuous failures first began with a doll representing Erdogan being hanged in Stockholm during a pro-Kurdish protest, which the Swedish Foreign Ministry condemned after calling the protest "provocative". 

The second came when MP Akersson labeled the Turkish president as an 'Islamist dictator'. He told Swedish media: "You can't go too far. Because it is ultimately an anti-democratic system we are dealing with," as he added that Sweden should not give in to Turkey's demands too much, while rejecting Erdogan as a popularly elected leader. "I am party leader of the anti-Islamist Sweden Democrats and have strong views on an Islamist dictator like Erdogan," he stated.

The third and latest comes after Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan burned a copy of the Quran in Stockholm, to which Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström responded by saying the "Islamophobic provocations are appalling."

Related News

'Turkey has won': Erdogan hails PKK disarmament

Iraq welcomes PKK’s disarmament as step toward regional stability

He clarified that his country had 'freedom of expression', "but it does not imply that the Swedish Government, or myself, support the opinions expressed."

Islamophobic provocations are appalling. Sweden has a far-reaching freedom of expression, but it does not imply that the Swedish Government, or myself, support the opinions expressed.

— Tobias Billström (@TobiasBillstrom) January 21, 2023

Kristersson denounced the act by Paludan, offering "sympathy" to all Muslims. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated his expectations just a day before that the Swedish authorities would prevent the protest from taking place but to no avail. 

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani strongly condemned the continuous violation of the sanctity of the Quran in European countries. "Some European states, under the pretext of free speech and freedom of expression, are allowing extremist groups to spread hatred and discord," Kanaani said. He also said that the Europeans' claims of protecting human rights are allowing Islamophobia to embed itself in European societies.

"The continued violation of the sanctity of the holy book, which is followed by one and a half billion Muslims, is a true testament to spreading hatred and violence," the foreign ministry spokesperson said. "Public opinion in the Islamic World expects the Swedish government to not be lenient toward anyone showing hostility toward Islam."

Freedom of expression is a fundamental part of democracy. But what is legal is not necessarily appropriate. Burning books that are holy to many is a deeply disrespectful act. I want to express my sympathy for all Muslims who are offended by what has happened in Stockholm today.

— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) January 21, 2023

Hezbollah also strongly condemned in a statement the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden, deeming the action a criminal act and a "heinous offense that we can’t keep silent over."

"This move comes as part of an offensive series that is aimed against Islam and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), as well as against all Muslim references, figures, and sanctities," Hezbollah's Media Relations Office considered.

Finland and Sweden submitted their NATO bids in May of 2022. Turkey is one of the two NATO member states to oppose Sweden and Finland's membership ambitions, accusing the Nordic countries of sponsoring and hosting members of Kurdish organizations Turkey has labeled as terrorist. 

Read next: Ankara to hold Quran reverence outside Turkish embassy in Stockholm

  • Turkey
  • Nato
  • Jimmie Akesson
  • Sweden
  • Ulf Kristersson

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS