Erdogan: Türkiye looks positively on Finland’s NATO bid

Turkish President and Leader of the Justice and Development (AK) Party Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the his party's group meeting at the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara on Feb 1, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

ANKARA – Türkiye looks positively on Finland's application for NATO membership, but does not support Sweden's bid, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

"Sweden should not bother to try at this point. We will not say 'yes' to their NATO application as long as they allow burning of the Koran," Erdogan said in a speech to his AK Party deputies in parliament.

ALSO READ: Türkiye: Finland's NATO bid may be handled 'differently'

Erdogan signaled on Sunday that Ankara could agree to Finland joining NATO ahead of Sweden and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday made similar statements.