Turkey slams EU for exercising democracy selectively

Protests in front of the Turkish consulate in the Netherlands continue.

The Foreign Ministry has said that the comments made by the EU calling for calm have no value for Ankara

The Foreign Ministry condemned the European Union on Tuesday for backing the Netherlands as the Dutch row worsens.

“It is very grave for the European Union to stand by the Netherlands, which has clearly violated human rights and European values," the statement said.

“The European Union counterparts are exercising democratic values, basic rights and freedoms selectively."

The European Union urged Turkey to refrain from excessive statements. The dispute has raised tensions between Turkey and the Netherlands as well as the European Union.

The Dutch government withdrew Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu's flight permit to the Netherlands on Saturday.

Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya was blocked from entering the Turkish Consulate and was forced to leave the country under police escort.

Turkish citizens in Rotterdam who were protesting were met by police with dogs, batons and water cannons.

The Turkish government has strongly criticized the Dutch government's actions and sent diplomatic notes to the Netherlands in protest.