Turkey's government accuses Prime Minister Mark Rutte of discriminating Turks in the Netherlands for opposing cabinet ministers with a dual Dutch-Turkish nationality.
In an interview with the newspaper De Volkskrant, Turkish minister Faruk Çelik criticises Prime Minister Rutte for remarks he made during the parliamentary debate on the government policy statement earlier this week. During the debate, the conservative liberal leader said he was not concerned by the Dutch-Swedish nationality of Deputy Health Minister Marlies Veldhuijzen van Santen-Hyllner but did have a problem with the Turkish-Dutch and Moroccan-Dutch nationalities of two deputy ministers in the previous government.
The prime minister argued they are different cases. He claimed Turkey and Morocco "influence their citizens", which could lead to conflicting loyalties, whereas Sweden, a member of the European Union, does not.
Wilders no-confidence motion
The controversy has erupted due to objections to the deputy minister's dual nationality by PVV leader Geert Wilders. Three years ago, the anti-Islam MP called for a no-confidence motion against two Labour deputies holding a Moroccan and a Turkish passport as well as a Dutch one. On that occasion, though the VVD parliamentary party did not back the no-confidence vote, Mr Rutte, then an MP, supported Mr Wilders' concerns. The current minority coalition, comprising the liberal VVD and the Christian Democrats, has a parliamentary majority thanks to a support agreement with the PVV.
Mr Çelik, who is responsible for Turks abroad, told De Volkskrant he did "not see how such a discriminatory remark fostered the integration of foreigners in the Netherlands". "The right to vote and be chosen", the Turkish minister emphasises, "are fundamental human rights".
No mandatory integration
Turkey has reiterated that Turkish immigrants should not be required to integrate in the Netherlands. Ankara argues it supports their integration but questions whether they should assimilate completely. Several lawsuits have been brought to court regarding this matter and both countries are engaged in a fundamental diplomatic discussion on the issue.
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Email this Bulletin
Printer-friendly version
and who is talking??? TURKEY?? the cruddle of ''democracy''..where if you are christian you are killed by organisations such as ''grey wolves'', or where ergenekon acts, a country that illegally (according to UN resolutions) occupies another EU country.
BTW, how can turkey as a state interfere with the internal policies (bad or good) of an EU modern and TRUE democratic state such as NL?
Nobody should even bother with them.
whether you like it or not, Turkey is right in this situation. And rather than manupilating the fact just focuse on the real deal. discirimination !! just like you did in your comment in a very ignorant way. before commenting about a country, just learn the facts and truth. christians being killed in Turkey ? are you serious ? have you ever been to that country. I don't think so.
Just keep fooling yourself mate. You're the very perfect and simple example of discirimination and being egoistic with no valid reason.
I never say that Turkey has no internal problems, it has. just like all EU countries have. but the way you approach this article. is just not correct.
To be honest, I don´t see why the big to do over double passports so long as people are law abiding citizens and paying taxes just like everyone else.