– If the attacks on our sanctuaries continue – then we regret, says Erdogan according to state-run Anatolia.
He also says that he “doesn’t know how long this issue will be discussed in parliament” and that how quickly Turkey can approve Sweden’s NATO application depends on how well Sweden lives up to its promises.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) and the Turkish president shook hands during the NATO summit in Vilnius in July. Then Kristersson said that Turkey would ratify the Swedish application “as soon as possible”.
“A handshake is a handshake”
Despite the latest statement from Erdogan, the Swedish government is confident that both Turkey and Hungary will ratify Sweden’s application when Turkey’s parliament opens in October.
– We relate to this and a handshake is a handshake, says Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) to Echo.
Ulf Kristersson has also expressed certainty that Turkey will keep what they promised.
– I am convinced that our handshake from the Vilnius meeting applies and so do our friends in the USA and NATO, Kristersson said in SVT’s Agenda on Sunday.
The Turkey connoisseur: The outcome should worry the government
Paul Levin, director of the Institute for Turkish Studies at Stockholm University, believes that the Swedish government has reason to be concerned and that the handshake in Vilnius was not what Jens Stoltenberg or the Swedish government had hoped for.
– The agreement that was thought to have been concluded in Vilnius does not really mean much, but it is now very uncertain when, and perhaps even if, the Turkish parliament will approve the ratification, he tells TT.
Levin believes that Erdogan’s comment should worry Kristersson.
– Erdogan says with this that he cannot influence his alliance partners and other individuals in the parliament.