Swedish society does not see Turkey's objections to its NATO membership as an insurmountable obstacle - ambassador

RIGA - Swedish society does not see Turkey's objections to its membership in NATO as an insurmountable obstacle to join this security organization, Latvian Ambassador to Sweden Ilze Ruse expressed this assessment in an interview with TV3 this morning.

Ruse reminded that at the last NATO summit, a tripartite agreement was signed between Sweden, Finland and Turkey on a path towards NATO membership, and Sweden is gradually fulfilling the points of this agreement.

The diplomat admitted that since the war started by Russia, the perception of threats has changed in Sweden, the public is concerned about security and Sweden is increasing its military capacity.

The diplomat admitted that it is definitely in the interests of Latvia for Finland and Sweden to join NATO as soon as possible.

The AFP news agency reports that Turkey on Tuesday postponed NATO accession talks with Sweden and Finland, further denting the Nordic neighbours' hopes of joining the Western defence alliance after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Ankara announced its decision one day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at Sweden for allowing weekend protests that included the burning of the Koran outside Ankara's Stockholm embassy.

A Turkish diplomatic source said the tri-party meeting has been pushed back from February to a "later date", without providing any details.