Turkish PM awaits apology from Netherlands

By Sinan Uslu and Ilkay Guder

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday there should be an apology from the Netherlands regarding the recent ban on Turkish ministers' rallies in the country.

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

"There should be an apology," said Yildirim.

When Turkish citizens in Rotterdam tried to 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.

"The rights of victims who were subjected to attacks by dogs and batons, those who were subjected to violence, should be [...] protected," Yildirim said.

He also gave details about his several phone calls early Sunday with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Yildirim said he told Rutte that what happened was wrong and should be corrected. He added that Rutte provided his own explanation.

"He raised his voice, and we raised ours too," Yildirim said.

He added that the Turkish ambassador to Netherlands was currently in Turkey and that his return was not a topical issue.