Turkey’s Erdogan says lawmakers will take up ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership in October
Associated PressVILNIUS, Lithuania — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that Sweden’s NATO membership bid would not be ratified by Turkey’s parliament before October, but that he hopes for a swift ratification once lawmakers return from a break. Erdogan’s comments Wednesday were his first public confirmation of his decision to refer Sweden’s membership to parliament, where his party and its allies command a majority. “At the same time, Sweden will actively support the Republic of Turkey in the update of the customs union, visa liberalization and the membership process of Turkey to the European Union.” Erdogan added that Sweden will help lift arms embargoes imposed on Turkey. These include a small Islamist group, which on Wednesday said it opposed Sweden joining NATO as it “allows attacks on Islamic values” – a reference to the burning of Qurans during protests in Stockholm.