EU officials slam Turkey over remarks about Dutch, German 'fascism'

Brussels

THE European Union's top officials sharply criticised Turkey on Wednesday for accusing EU states Germany and the Netherlands of fascism, saying the charges were driving Ankara further away from its goal of joining the bloc.

A war of words between Turkey and the EU has erupted this month over planned rallies by Turkish politicians in Rotterdam and other European cities that aimed to drum up support for plans to give Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers.

The Netherlands cancelled the Rotterdam rally, prompting Mr Erdogan to brand the country as "Nazi remnants". He has also accused Germany, which has cancelled several planned Turkish rallies, of "fascist actions" reminiscent of the Nazi era and said "Nazism is still wid…