Türkiye suspends high-level diplomatic relations with the Netherlands.

The decision was made on March 13 after authorities prevented Turkish ministers from speaking at rallies with the Turkish community in the Netherlands to garner support for the upcoming referendum on constitutional reforms.

Photo: Sputnik.

Speaking at a press conference following the cabinet meeting, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus announced that high-level relations and planned meetings at the ministerial level and above between the two countries have been suspended.

Ankara will not allow the Dutch ambassador to return until the Netherlands meets Turkey's conditions regarding the rallies. Diplomatic flights will also be suspended.

Earlier that day, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan also threatened to impose sanctions and take the Netherlands to the European Court of Human Rights in connection with the incident.

Speaking on television, President Erdogan also accused German Chancellor Angela Merkel of "sponsoring terrorism" after German authorities prevented Turkish ministers from speaking at rallies in Germany to encourage Turkish citizens to support the referendum on April 16. A spokesperson for Chancellor Merkel immediately denied the accusation.

The US is currently urging Türkiye and the Netherlands to resolve their current diplomatic dispute. According to Washington, both countries are major partners and allies within NATO. The US has asked both sides to avoid escalating tensions and to cooperate in resolving the issue.

According to Sputnik