Dutch approach a threat to EU values: Turkish minister

By Humeyra Atilgan Buyukovali

ISTANBUL

Turkey’s EU affairs minister and chief negotiator Monday called the Dutch blockade of Turkish ministers on Saturday "a threat to the basic values of the European Union".

Speaking to reporters in the capital Ankara, Omer Celik said, "This isn’t just about Turkey. That approach targets all the people of Europe".

He said that if they continue to ignore the problem, the racist and fascist practices of extreme-right politicians will spread across Europe.

Celik contended that the recent bans of Turkish ministers by Germany and the Netherlands are "violations of democracy and the rule of law."

He added, "Cancelling the flight permit of Turkish ministers, preventing them from entering the consulate which is part of our soil, and arresting our charge d'affaires are clearly crimes, and those crimes were committed by the Dutch government."

He called on the EU and the Council of Europe to condemn those violations and "carry out a joint fight against that fascist policies of the Netherlands."

"This is not an issue to be impartial about," he stressed.

"It is not enough to suggest that we reduce tension [between Turkey and the Netherlands]. They should see why the tension is rising," he said.

Council of Europe Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland said Sunday that tensions between Turkey and several European countries are damaging diplomacy and democracy.

"We cannot allow this to escalate any further," Jagland said, adding that all Turkish citizens should have ample opportunity to be informed about Turkey’s April 16 referendum, which the ministers were due to campaign on among expatriate Turks in Europe.

"All public meetings and political campaigns held in Council of Europe member states should be conducted in accordance with national legislation and the European Convention on Human Rights," he said.

Celik said tensions started after the Dutch government canceled the Turkish foreign minister's flight permit on Saturday and blocked the family minister's convoy from entering the Turkish Consulate in Rotterdam.

The ministers were due to meet with the Turkish community ahead of the April 16 referendum on constitutional reforms in Turkey.