EU warns Turkey after Nazi comments spark row with Netherlands

The European Union warns President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to avoid inflammatory rhetoric as a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and the Netherlands continues to deepen over the blocking of Turkish ministers from holding rallies to win support for plans to expand his powers.

Erdogan at the weekend twice accused NATO ally Netherlands of acting like the Nazis, comments that sparked outrage in a country bombed and occupied by German forces in World War II.

In an escalating standoff that risks damaging Turkey’s already deteriorating relations with the European Union ahead of the April 16 referendum on constitutional change, Brussels sternly warns Ankara to avoid making the situation worse.

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn call on Turkey to “refrain from excessive statements and actions that risk further exacerbating the situation.

“It is essential to avoid further escalation and find ways to calm down the situation,” their statement adds.

— AFP