Turkish PM warns Europe against meddling in affairs

BALIKESIR, Turkey

Turkish premier has warned Europe not to interfere in the nation's internal affairs, hours after Dutch government canceled Turkish foreign minister's flight permit.

Speaking at a rally in western Balikesir province, Binali Yildirim said some European countries hosted PKK, Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) members and anti-Turkey figures.

"Do not do that! I warn that this does not fit into friendship, [and] alliance. Those who become friends of Turkey's enemies will display enmity against Turkey," the prime minister said.

Dutch Foreign Ministry announced early Saturday in a statement the Netherlands canceled Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's flight permit on grounds of "security" and "public safety". The foreign minister was scheduled to address the Turkish community in the Dutch city of Rotterdam later Saturday.

"Europe, please do not put your nose into Turkey's internal affairs, politics," the prime minister told the crowd.

The Netherlands, Austria and Germany are some of the European countries that have canceled meetings of some Turkish ministers and politicians, which they planned as part of their Yes campaigns ahead of the referendum in Turkey, on April 16th.