Netherlands’ ban on Turkish minister sparks tit-for-tat diplomatic row

“I am a foreign minister and I can go wherever I want”.

But the Dutch authorities view the referendum as a step backwards from democracy and have told Ankara to keep its ministers away.

Protesters also gathered outside the Dutch embassy in Ankara and consulate in Istanbul, throwing eggs and stones at the buildings. “We will give them the response they deserve”. Many are expected to support Geert Wilders, the explicitly anti-Muslim leader of the far-right Netherlands’ Dutch Freedom Party, who many brand as the “Dutch Trump“. In an interview with TRT World, Cavusoglu confirmed that the Dutch police had besieged the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam amid strong protest.

Speaking to reporters in France ahead of a public appearance in the northeastern city of Metz, Cavusoglu said Turkey was waiting to see whether European countries would voice criticism of the “fascist act” by the Netherlands.

However, government ministers say they can do little to prevent Cavusoglu making a private visit.

Austria and Switzerland have also cancelled Turkish rallies due to the escalating dispute.

Turkey’s foreign minister has been attempting to tour Europe to gather support for a constitutional referendum next month.

A small group of men holding Turkish flags are seen outside the consulate shouting “Damn Holland” and “Racist Holland”.

Ankara – The Netherlands made a decision to close its doors in front of Turkish officials visiting the country for political campaigning among Turkish émigrés.

The flag at the consulate general was replaced with the Dutch flag almost 30 minutes later.

The man is still unidentified.

She then refused to leave her armoured auto, leading to a stalemate that went on for about an hour.

A witness claimed several demonstrators were beaten by police with batons. Sayan Kaya said she requested the Netherlands and European countries to return back to “the democratic values they say to defend” after being intercepted.

Kaya arrived in the Netherlands overland hours after the Dutch authorities denied Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu permission to land when he refused to abstain from political activity during his visit.

A small number of protesters reacted angrily when they heard that Dutch police were driving the minister to the German border.

Prime minister Mark Rutte on WNL on Sunday.

In a live broadcast later Saturday, Kaya confirmed she was blocked from entering the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam.