ANKARA, January 23. /TASS/. Sweden should no longer expect Turkey’s endorsement of its NATO membership application after the scandalous events that took place in Stockholm, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after a Cabinet meeting Monday.

"These sordid actions in Sweden, especially next to our diplomatic mission, are an insult to Muslims, as well as to all people in general, all rights and freedoms. You continue to support terrorists and expect support to join NATO. That won’t do. Sweden should no longer expect this endorsement from us," Erdogan said, according to the TRT TV channel.

The Turkish leader underscored that he expects Stockholm to meet all its obligations to Turkey on combating terrorist organizations.

"If Swedish authorities respect rights and freedoms so much, then they must first and foremost respect the religious sentiments of the Turkish Republic and all Muslims. If you do not show this respect, then, alas, you will not get an ounce of support from us regarding NATO accession," Erdogan said.

The Turkish authorities expressed decisive protest over the burning of the Quran near the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm last Saturday, calling this action "racist" and "modern barbarism." Deputy Head of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party Numan Kurtulmus warned that Turkey will not approve Sweden’s NATO accession application until it fulfills the memorandum on countering terrorism, signed with Ankara. On January 11, a rally in support of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Turkey deems terrorist, took place in Stockholm. Its participants staged the hanging of a doll that resembled Erdogan. This incident and Sweden’s refusal to look for those involved in this scandalous display also provoked a harsh reaction from Ankara.