Turkey won't back Swedish NATO bid unless it stops anti-Turkish protests -Erdogan

FILE PHOTO: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan greets members of the parliament and guests as he arrives to take his oath after his election win in Ankara, Turkey, June 3, 2023. REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo

ANKARA (Reuters) -Sweden should not expect a green light from Ankara on its NATO membership bid at the Western alliance's summit next month unless it prevents anti-Turkey protests in Stockholm, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying on Wednesday.

Turkey cannot approach Sweden's NATO bid positively while "terrorists" were protesting in Stockholm, and Turkey's position would be made clear once again in talks with Swedish officials in Ankara on Wednesday, Erdogan was quoted as telling reporters on a flight returning from Azerbaijan on Tuesday.