Turkey responds to Rutte in racism row

The Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu feels that Turkey should indeed play a role in the integration policies of European countries. He said this to news agency NOS. He does not think that the Netherlands is a racist country, but says that there are racist tendencies. "The integration in Europe has failed", said Cavusoglu. "Parties in Europe have admitted that political integration in Europe is not working. With integration there should be cooperation between the countries where people come from and where they now live." On Friday Prime Minister Mark Rutte made it clear that the Netherlands do not want Turkish interference. Minister Cavusoglu emphasized that Turkey does not want to intrude, but that the problems of Turkish Dutch, lie close to Turkey's heart. "If the Turks living in the Netherlands receive so many attacks, then it is logical that we are sensitive to that. It is wrong to think that Turkey would have no connection with the Turks in Europe." With the attacks the minister refers to the increasing racism in various countries, including the Netherlands. "There is a trend in Europe where immigrants are hit first. Immigrants are attacked. And if immigrants are targeted, Turks and Muslims are put in the front row." "We have no desire to interfere in Dutch policy or the policy of Europe. But there is nothing more natural than that the homeland of the Turks are working on their problems."