Turkish remarks about Dutch fascism ''detached from reality'': European Union's Tusk

Brussels: Turkish accusations of fascism in the Netherlands are "completely detached from reality", European Council President Donald Tusk said on Wednesday.

Turkey`s remarks came after the Netherlands cancelled rallies by Turkish politicians in Rotterdam, which had been due to drum up support for a referendum that would give Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers.

"Rotterdam, the city of Erasmus, totally destroyed by the Nazis, which now has a mayor born in Morocco: If any anyone sees fascism in Rotterdam they are completely detached from reality," Tusk told a plenary session of the European Parliament.

Tusks remarks were echoed by European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, who told parliament he was "scandalised" by the Turkish comments, saying they drove Turkey further away from becoming a member of the European Union.