Erdogan twice accused the Netherlands of acting like Nazis, comments that sparked outrage in a country bombed and occupied by German forces
Brussels : The EU urged Turkey on Monday to avoid “excessive statements” and actions that could increase tensions, in a row with the Netherlands and Germany over the blocking of rallies by Turkish ministers.
Brussels also said it was up to Berlin and The Hague to decide whether to allow Turkish politicians into the country to try to win support for plans to expand the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Erdogan at the weekend twice accused the Netherlands of acting like the Nazis, comments that sparked outrage in a country bombed and occupied by German forces in World War II.
“The European Union calls on Turkey to refrain from excessive statements and actions that risk further exacerbating the situation,” EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn said in a statement.
“Following the tensions of these last days between Turkey and some EU member states, it is essential to avoid further escalation and find ways to calm down the situation,” it said.
“Decisions with regard to the holding of meetings and rallies in member states are a matter for the member state concerned, in accordance with the applicable provisions of international and national law.”
The European Commission said it would “continue to provide our good offices in the interest of EU-Turkey relations.”
