What is behind the Netherlands’ brazenly displayed intolerance towards Turkey?
The incident with Turkish Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Bethul Sayyan Kaya (a woman) is against international diplomatic norms.
In spite of this obvious fact, the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that he would not apologize to Turkey and that on the contrary, he believed that it is the Turkish side that should apologize to the Netherlands.
The question is simple and clear: The plane with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on board could not land in the Netherlands after the Dutch authorities refused to issue a permit for landing. The Turkish Foreign Minister was supposed to address the Turkish community in Rotterdam with a speech on the constitutional reform in Turkey. This was in accordance with political rights that must exist in any democracy.
Both diplomats were declared persona non grata as an undesirable/unwanted foreign national. Just because they wanted to democratically address to eligible voters in Netherlands.
The government of Netherlands claimed that Cavusoglu’s arrival in the Netherlands would ostensibly pose a threat to public order and security. Since when democratic rallies are posing a threat to public order and security?
During the war of words between Turkey and Netherlands, representatives of the Dutch authorities noted that they tried to find a solution to the problem with Turkey, but Turkish officials threatened to impose sanctions on the Netherlands. Turkish President Recep Erdogan claimed that the Dutch authorities displayed vestiges of Nazism and fascism.
Turkey’s Minister for Family Affairs, also tried to appear at a meeting in the Netherlands. She used land transport for the purpose, but the Dutch police did not allow her to do what she wanted. The Turkish official was expelled from the Netherlands and escorted to German border.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim harshly condemned the actions of the Dutch authorities. Mr. Yıldırım said: We strongly protest against the actions of the authorities of the Netherlands. Ankara’s responsive measures will be extremely tough. Putting pressure on Turkey and the minister, a person having diplomatic immunity, is unacceptable.
