Government statement on the denial of Turkish landing rights / Government statement concerning Turkish minister Kaya’s escorted departure

During March 2017 there was increasing tension between Turkey and a number of European countries including Austria, Denmark and Germany, following a row which started with the cancellation of rallies with Turkish politicians in those countries in the run up to a referendum on constitutional reforms in Turkey due for Turkish citizens on the 16 April 2017.

The dispute spread to The Netherlands after it had denied landing permission for Turkish Foreign Minister Mevut Casuvoglu's plane on the 11 March 2017, hours after he had threatened sanctions should the Dutch government not allow him to attend a political rally in Rotterdam that day.

The Dutch government said that it had denied entry to Casuvoglu because of 'risks to public order and security'. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the Dutch as 'Nazi remnants and fascists'.

The dispute between Turkey and The Netherlands escalated on the 12 March 2017 when Turkish Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya flew back to Istanbul after being expelled from the Netherlands and escorted back to Germany, describing the Dutch treatment as 'ugly'. The Dutch Government said 'The Netherlands will not cooperate with efforts by Turkish ministers to publicly conduct a political campaign in this country'.

The situation was especially sensitive for The Netherlands as it was due to hold a general election on the 15 March 2017.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel assured the Netherlands on the 13 March 2017 of her 'full support and solidarity'. Comparisons with Nazi practices were completely inaccurate and misleading – particularly in the case of the Netherlands, which 'suffered so terribly under National Socialism'.

Turkey announced on the 13 March 2017 that it had suspended all high level contacts with the Netherlands and barred the Dutch Ambassador from returning to Turkey.

• Primary Source

The Guardian, 12.03.17: Netherlands 'will pay the price' for blocking Turkish visit – Erdoğan https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/12/netherlands-will-pay-the-price-for-blocking-turkish-visit-erdogan

ESO: Background information: Should Europe ban AKP rallies? http://www.europeansources.info/record/should-europe-ban-akp-rallies/

ESO: Key Source: Turkish constitutional referendum, 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkish-constitutional-referendum-2017/

BBC News, 11.03.17: Turkey referendum: Dutch are Nazi remnants - Erdogan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39242707

Deutsche Welle, 11.03.17: Turkey hits out as Netherlands blocks foreign minster's flight http://dw.com/p/2Z2RK

Dutch News, nl, 09.03.17: Turkish referendum rally less likely to go ahead http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2017/03/turkish-referendum-rally-less-likely-to-go-ahead/

Dutch News.nl, 12.03.17: Dutch defend Turkish consulate actions, won’t give in to ‘blackmail’ http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2017/03/dutch-defend-turkish-consulate-actions-wont-give-in-to-blackmail/

EurActiv, 10.03.17: Dutch premier urges Turkish foreign minister to stay away http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/dutch-premier-urges-turkish-foreign-minister-to-stay-away/

Politico, 08.03.17: Turkish foreign minister’s Dutch event called off http://www.politico.eu/article/mevlut-cavusoglu-rotterdam-turkish-foreign-ministers-dutch-event-called-off/

Politico, 12.03.17: Dutch row worsens Europe’s Turkey tensions http://www.politico.eu/article/europes-relations-with-turkey-go-from-bad-to-worse/

Deutsche Welle, 12.03.17: Turkish minister complains of 'ugly treatment' by Dutch http://dw.com/p/2Z3v

Netherlands: Netherlands Government Information Service: News, 12.03.17: Government statement concerning Turkish minister Kaya’s escorted departure https://www.government.nl/latest/news/2017/03/12/government-statement-concerning-turkish-minister-kaya%E2%80%99s-escorted-departure

Anadolu Agency, 13.03.17: World condemns Netherlands for row with Turkey http://aa.com.tr/en/europe/world-condemns-netherlands-for-row-with-turkey/769937

Anadolu Agency, 12.03.17: Europe's mask has come off now, says President Erdogan http://aa.com.tr/en/europe/europes-mask-has-come-off-now-says-president-erdogan/769734

EurActiv, 13.03.17: Erdogan pledges to punish ‘Nazi remnant’ Netherlands ‘in harshest way’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/erdogan-pledges-to-punish-nazi-remnant-netherlands-in-harshest-way/

EUObserver, 13.03.17: Turkish-Dutch row takes over election campaign https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/137211

BBC News, 13.03.17: Turkey-Netherlands row: Dutch warn citizens after Erdogan threat http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39254556

Dutch News.nl, 13.03.17: European Commission calls on Turkey to moderate its tone in row with Dutch http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2017/03/european-commission-calls-on-turkey-to-moderate-its-tone-in-row-with-dutch/

The Guardian, 13.03.17: Erdoğan repeats nazism claims despite EU pleas not to escalate row https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/13/turkey-summons-dutch-envoy-over-riot-police-tactics-in-rotterdam

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2017: Row escalates over AKP rallies in the Netherlands / How should the EU react in the row with Ankara? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/175913/row-escalates-over-akp-rallies-in-the-netherlands

Germany: Federal Government: News, 13.03.17: Turkey's accusations. Angela Merkel declares her solidarity with the Netherlands https://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/EN/Artikel/2017/03_en/2017-03-13-tuerkei_en.html

Deutsche Welle, 13.03.17: Diplomatic row between Europe and Turkey escalates further http://dw.com/p/2Z7PM

Dutch News.nl, 14.03.17: Turkey suspends high level contacts with the Netherlands as dispute escalates http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2017/03/turkey-suspends-high-level-contacts-with-the-netherlands-as-dispute-escalates/

EurActiv, 14.03.17: Turkey suspends top-level ties with Netherlands in escalating crisis http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/turkey-suspends-top-level-ties-with-netherlands-in-escalating-crisis/

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: STATEMENT/17/588: Joint statement by High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn on the Venice Commission's Opinion on the amendments to the Constitution of Turkey and recent events http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-17-588_en.pdf

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