Denmark calls on Turkish PM to delay planned visit

Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen today called on his Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim to delay a visit planned for later this month because of "tensions" between Ankara and the Netherlands.

"Such a visit could not take place in light of the current attacks by Turkey against the Netherlands. Therefore I proposed to my Turkish colleague to postpone our meeting," Rasmussen said in a statement.

"In normal circumstances, it would be a pleasure to welcome (Yildirim) with whom I had a frank and constructive dialogue on December 10 in Ankara," he added.

Yildirim's visit had been planned for March 20, according to Danish radio station DR.

Rasmussen said Denmark "was following with serious concern the events Turkey, where democratic principles are under great pressure".

A diplomatic row has erupted between Turkey and the Netherlands after the Dutch prevented top Turkish ministers from holding rallies ahead of a referendum on expanding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.

Erdogan accused the Netherlands -- which was occupied by the Germans in World War II -- of behaving like the Nazis.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)