(VOVworld) - Tensions ramped up quickly between Turkey and the Netherlands after the Dutch government disallowed Turkey's Foreign Minister from attending a public rally in Rotterdam. 

Turkish police outside the Dutch Embassy in Istanbul (Source: AFP)

In response, Turkish authorities have closed off Dutch’s foreign missions in Turkey for security reasons. The mayor of Rotterdam said on Sunday that Turkey's Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya is being escorted back to the German border after being rejected to enter Rotterdam by road. Previously, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was planning to attend a rally hosted by Turkish-born citizens to win support for an April 16 referendum vote on the Turkish Constitution. His denied entry received strong criticism from Turkey.

The same day, around 200 Turkish citizens gathered outside the Dutch Embassy in Ankara to support President Tayyip Erdogan and oppose Amsterdam’s ban. Meanwhile, 1,000 people carrying Turkey’s flag turned up at the Turkish Consulate in Rotterdam to show support for Ankara’s government.