Turkey looks positively on Finland's NATO bid but not on Sweden's: Erdogan

Turkey looks positively on Finland's application for NATO membership, but does not support Sweden's bid, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday (February 1), Reuters reports.

"We are closely monitoring the developments regarding the expansion process of NATO. Sweden, do not bother to try at this point. We will not say 'yes' to your NATO application as long as you allow ripping and burning of our holy book the Koran with your security officials around. We look positively about Finland but negative about Sweden," Erdogan said in a speech to his AK Party deputies in parliament.

Erdogan signaled on Sunday (January 29) that Ankara could agree to Finland joining NATO ahead of Sweden and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday made similar statements.

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