The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the protests in Stockholm in support of the Kurds and against Sweden's entry into NATO, accompanied by the burning of the Koran. The diplomatic department called the incident an "

Mass gatherings in Sweden awaiting Ankara's support for NATO membership have added to already existing tensions between the countries at home..

“We strongly condemn the vile attack on our holy book, the Quran, committed today (January 21) in Sweden, despite our repeated warnings, and consider it absolutely unacceptable,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said..

The Turkish diplomatic department noted that this case demonstrates the alarming level reached by Islamophobia and racist and discriminatory movements in Europe..

Ankara called on the Swedish authorities to take the necessary measures against the perpetrators of this hate crime;

and also appealed to all countries and international organizations "

“We emphasize once again that we expect concrete and effective steps from Sweden beyond rhetoric, especially in the fight against terrorism, in accordance with its obligations under the tripartite memorandum,” the statement said..

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After the Swedish authorities granted permission to hold anti-Turkish activities in Sweden, Turkey canceled the visit of Swedish Defense Minister Pal Johnson to Ankara scheduled for January 27 and summoned the ambassador.

To enlist Turkey's support for joining NATO, Sweden must expel 130 people whom Turkey considers terrorists from the country..