14 March 2017•Update: 15 March 2017
By Emin Avundukluoglu
ANKARA
Ratcheting up the rhetoric in the diplomatic crisis between Ankara and Amsterdam, the leader of Turkey’s main opposition party has called for a recall of Ankara’s ambassador to the Netherlands.
Speaking to his party's parliamentary group meeting Tuesday, Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu voiced frustration over the government allegedly moving too slowly to address the crisis, stemming from two government ministers being blocked or deported when they sought to address Turkish citizens in the country ahead of Turkey’s April 16 referendum.
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 Saturday’s deportation of a Turkish government minister was unacceptable. "Turkey has not been offended in such a way before," he said.
"You should do whatever is necessary. You might not be offended, but I am. I have to defend Turkey's interests. All kinds of sanctions should be imposed [on the Netherlands]," he added.
Kilicdaroglu said that in this crisis both the government and opposition parties have backed Turkey against the Netherlands.
"Do what is needed to be done [against the Netherlands]. We will give all kind of support to you," he pledged.
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.
