Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen says his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu, is free to refuse to receive the Dutch populist politician Geert Wilders.

The PVV leader intends to travel with a parliamentary delegation to Turkey early next year but Turkey's foreign ministry refuses to receive him. Mr Wilders has asked Foreign Minister Verhagen to lodge a complaint over the refusal. Mr Verhagen is only willing to point out to Ankara the need for conversations with Dutch MPs and the attending advantages. Speaking during a party conference, Mr Verhagen blamed Mr Wilders for making all sorts of statements while denying others the right to do the same.

Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen (Photo ANP)