Turkish president Erdogan calls Netherlands 'Nazi remnants, fascists'

YEREVAN, MARCH 11, ARMENPRESS. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan branded the Netherlands "Nazi remnants, fascists" on Saturday after the Dutch government withdrew permission for his Foreign Minister to land there, Reuters reports.

Rotterdam city authorities had on Friday withdrawn permission for him to attend a meeting to rally support for President Tayyip Erdogan's plans for extended powers, to be put to a referendum next month. Several other European cities have banned such meetings to be attended by Turkish officials.

According to BBC, Turkey has now summoned the Dutch charge d'affaires to the foreign ministry in Ankara for an explanation.

"Ban our foreign minister from flying however much you like, but from now on, let's see how your flights will land in Turkey," President Erdogan said at a rally in Istanbul as quoted by BBC.

Cavusoglu also warned Turkey would impose heavy sanctions if his visit were blocked.