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Dutch PM calls for de-escalation of tension with Turkey

BRUSSELS, March 12 (KUNA) -- Dutch Prime Minister Marke Rutte Sunday called for de-escalation of the growing crisis in ties with Turkey after the Dutch government did not permit the Turkish minister for the family Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from entering the Turkish consulate in Rotterdam when she arrived on Saturday night.
Riot police used water cannons to disperse a crowd of 1000 Turks who were demonstrating before the consulate in protest against the decision of the Dutch authorities to expel the Turkish minister from the country before she could address the Turkish community.
12 people were arrested and seven people, including six demonstrators, were injured, Dutch media reported today.
Rutte was quoted saying that "what is crucial now is to de-escalate the situation. I've never been involved in anything like this," he said, adding that Netherlands "would not give into blackmail." Rutte said he had spoken to Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim eight times in the past few days, the last time this morning.
The biggest problem, Rutte said, is that the Turkish government talks continually about Turkish citizens in the Netherlands. "They are Dutch citizens," he said. (Pick up previous) nk.mt