• Turkey has stalled Sweden and Finland’s NATO applications.
• Sweden and Finland applied to NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine.
• “Our relations with Turkey are very essential to Sweden,” Mr. Jonson tweeted

Turkey called the Swedish protest’s Quran burning a “vile act”.

It called the Swedish government’s demonstration permit “absolutely inappropriate”.

It follows rising diplomatic tension between the countries.

Turkey, which had urged Sweden to end the protest, cancelled Pal Jonson’s visit, saying it had “lost its relevance and meaning”.

The trip was intended to allay Ankara’s concerns about Scandinavia joining NATO. Turkey has stalled Sweden and Finland’s NATO applications.

Turkey wants political concessions, including deporting Erdogan detractors and Kurdish militants.

Turkey, a NATO member, can prohibit another country from joining. Sweden and Finland applied to NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The far-right Stram Kurs (Hard Line) lawmaker Rasmus Paludan burned a Quran during the Saturday afternoon rally outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm.

Any intentional harm or disrespect to the Quran is profoundly offensive to Muslims.

Turkey is Muslim-majority. Despite “repeated warnings,” its Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the act.

“Permitting this anti-Islam act, which targets Muslims and degrades our fundamental principles, under the cover of ‘freedom of expression’ is simply unacceptable,” it stated.

It urged on the Swedish government to take “required measures” after the Quran was burned, citing the “alarming” spread of Islamophobia, racism, and prejudice in Europe.

Tobias Billstrom, Sweden’s Foreign Minister, branded the incident “appalling”.

“Sweden has far-reaching freedom of expression, but it does not imply that the Swedish government, or myself, support the opinions stated,” he tweeted.

Stockholm saw pro- and anti-Turkey protests.

“Our relations with Turkey are very essential to Sweden,” Mr. Jonson tweeted after Turkey cancelled the Swedish military minister’s trip.

Sweden’s Prime Minister said last week’s Stockholm protesters hung an Erdogan effigy on a pole to damage Sweden’s NATO application.

Last year, Mr. Paludan threatened to burn the Quran at rallies, causing disturbances.

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