UPDATE - Türkiye says provocation in Sweden targeting Turkish president 'racist,’ a ‘hate crime’

CHANGES IN HEADLINE, DECK; UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS FROM FOREIGN MINISTERS OF TÜRKIYE AND ITALY, MINOR EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Faruk Zorlu

ANKARA (AA) - Thursday's provocation by supporters of the PKK/YPG terrorist group in Sweden targeting the Turkish president is both "racist" and a "hate crime," the Turkish foreign minister said on Friday.

"We saw another provocation by the PKK/YPG terrorist group in Sweden. In fact, this is an act that includes both racism and a hate crime. Therefore, it is an act that Sweden must also fight against," Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a joint press conference with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in the capital Ankara.

Cavusoglu's remarks came after terror supporters gathered in front of the historical City Hall in the capital Stockholm, hung a figure of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in effigy by the feet on a pole in front of the building and shared video footage of the moment on social media.

Footage posted later on a social media account affiliated with the terror group showed that threats targeting Türkiye and Erdogan were made with Turkish subtitles.

Sweden amended its constitution and related anti-terrorism law but those laws are not even needed, Cavusoglu said, adding it has to "fight an act that is racist and hate crime."

There had been some actions by the PKK before, and Sweden told Türkiye that they had difficulty in preventing them, he said.

This provocative action took place right in front of the municipality in the center of the city, in front of everyone, he said, adding that just condemning it is not enough.

"Sweden has a responsibility here, they cannot escape this responsibility," the top Turkish diplomat said.

The Swedish government had shown some determination on the issue, but activities of the terrorist organization still continue, he added.

"Not only yesterday's racist and hate crime act, but also activities supporting the terrorist organization continue," he said.

There is an "apparent reality" that the terrorist organization and its supporters do not want Sweden and Finland to become members of NATO, Cavusoglu said.

Either Sweden and Finland will "turn a blind eye to this and bow down to it" or they will fulfill their commitments to take the necessary steps against those terrorist organizations, he added.

Sweden and Finland shunned neutrality and applied to join NATO last May, a decision spurred by Russia's war on Ukraine.

But Türkiye, a longstanding member of the alliance, voiced objections to their membership bids, criticizing the countries for tolerating and even supporting terrorist groups.

Noting that a meeting of experts between Türkiye, Sweden and Finland will be held soon, he said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg offered to hold the session in Brussels.

The first two meetings were held in Finland and Sweden, and the third could be in Brussels, he said, adding: "Let the NATO secretary general and experts see clearly, which ones (commitments) they meet and which they do not."

- US visit

Turning to his forthcoming visit to the US, Cavusoglu said the tour is important in terms of holding another meeting of the Türkiye-US Strategic Mechanism.

Not only the issues of F-16, F-35 and sanctions will be touched upon, but we will also discuss all matters related to bilateral relations, he said, adding that Syria will also be on the agenda.

The US support for the PKK/YPG in Syria continues, and this is a "threat to us," he said, adding that "problems poisoning bilateral relations" will also be deliberated upon.

Cavusoglu said Russia also did not keep its promises on Syria.

Ankara and Moscow reached a deal in the Black Sea city of Sochi in 2019 under which the terrorists had to pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Türkiye 's border, but Ankara says it has not been implemented.

- Commercial relations between Ankara and Rome

Speaking about commercial relations between Ankara and Rome, Cavusoglu said Italy is one of Türkiye's largest trading partners and ranks 5th in both Türkiye's imports and exports.

Trade volume has exceeded to $26 billion in 2022, and we are reaching "our goal" of $30 billion, he said, adding that they agreed to set new targets.

The amount of direct investment made by Italy in Türkiye is increasing, and in the last 20 years, approximately $5 billion worth of direct investment has come to Ankara, he said.

We are also working to develop cooperation in the defense industry, and there are many joint projects, Cavusoglu said.

Before the presser, a joint memorandum of understanding in the field of energy was negotiated during the meeting of the two ministers.

Touching upon the fight against terrorism and irregular migration, he said they also plan to cooperate on this issue.

The situation in the Balkans was also evaluated during the bilateral meetings, he said, adding that the stability of the Balkans is important for every country, but it is also a sensitive issue for Italy and Türkiye.

Meanwhile, emphasizing the importance of Libya for the two countries, he said: "The main thing is to maintain permanent stability, hold fair elections in Libya. We think the same as Italy on these issues."

Noting that there are steps to be taken to return immigrants to their countries, the Turkish minister said: "The issue of regular immigrants, irregular migrants, uncontrolled migration has many dimensions, including integration. It has a security dimension and a humanitarian dimension. We need to deal with all aspects of it without prejudice."

Stating that there is a process and engagement recently initiated for the return of Syrians to their country, Cavusoglu said: "We have started engagement with the Syrian regime as well."

- Eastern Mediterranean

Expressing readiness to consult with Egypt on Libya, Cavusoglu said normalizing Türkiye's relations with Egypt will contribute to the stability of the Eastern Mediterranean.

Criticizing the new government in Israel for its provocative actions, he said: "Such provocations should not be repeated."

Türkiye took steps to normalize its relations with the previous government in Israel, he said, emphasizing that Ankara's continuation of relations with Tel Aviv does not mean "supporting Israel's illegal settlements or ignoring the rights of the Palestinian people."

On the SAMP/T air defense system project, Cavusoglu said: "SAMP/T should be made a known and desired defense system at least as much as the others," underlying that they are "ready to cooperate with Italy and France on this issue."

Türkiye has implemented important projects, he said, adding that it also want to take "concrete steps on SAMP/T in the future."

Urging European countries such as Italy to be "flexible" in their engagement with Russia, he said there should be a "just peace and cease-fire" for Ukraine.

- Türkiye and Italy have 'common understanding'

Foreign Minister Tajani said Italy has a common understanding with Türkiye, especially on the issue of irregular migration, Libya, the Balkans, and peace in Ukraine.

He acknowledged Ankara's role in reaching the landmark July 2022 grain deal. "Türkiye performed a very important mediation service and also took a very important step in the prisoner exchange," he said.

On migration, he said Italy is receiving illegal immigrants mostly from Libya, the Mediterranean, Tunisia, and the Balkans.

"Frankly, there are not many coming from Türkiye, there is incredible control, I would like to thank you on this occasion. I would like to thank the Turkish authorities with my sincere feelings, there is no [one] coming from Türkiye."

"Türkiye hosted 4 million people from Syria, and we should thank Türkiye on this occasion. In fact, the EU needs to support this great effort," he said.

Turning to Libya, he said Ankara and Rome have "a common view on Libya. Stability should be ensured in Libya."

Noting that they decided to work together with Türkiye on elections in the North African country, Tajani said: "We want elections to be held in Libya. We will increase our initiatives in this regard."

Tajani said Italy is working on energy and Türkiye should have "a free choice in the Eastern Mediterranean."