Recall Turkey's Netherlands envoy: Opposition CHP head

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) – Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader has called for a recall of Turkey's ambassador to the Netherlands.

In remarks made during his party's parliamentary group meeting Tuesday, Kemal Kilicdaroglu criticized the Turkish government for allegedly moving too slowly in taking necessary measures following the crisis between Turkey and the Netherlands.

Kilicdaroglu urged the government to recall Turkey's ambassador to the Netherlands. "Why did you not recall your ambassador? Why don’t you recall him? Why are you not taking severe measures [against the Netherlands]?"

He said the deportation of a Turkish minister is unacceptable. "Turkey has not been aggrieved in such a way before," he said.

"You should do whatever is necessary. You cannot be aggrieved, but I am. I have to defend Turkey's interest. All kinds of sanctions should be imposed [on the Netherlands]," he added.

On Saturday, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was refused permission to land in the Netherlands and Family and Social Affairs Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya was deported from the country after being blocked from entering Turkey’s Consulate in the Dutch city of Rotterdam.

When Turkish citizens in Rotterdam tried to peacefully protest, they were met by police using batons, dogs and water cannons, in what some analysts called a disproportionate use of force.

The incidents drew strong criticism from Ankara, including diplomatic notes sent to the Netherlands in protest.