Turkey has criticised the European Union for siding with the Netherlands in a diplomatic dispute over plans by Turkish ministers to campaign in the country.

Turkey said the EU's position "lends credence" to extremists.

A Turkish foreign ministry statement said the EU's stance on Turkey was "short-sighted" and "carried no value" for Turkey.

It said the European bloc, which called on Turkey to cease excessive statements, "ignored the (Netherlands') violation of diplomatic conventions and the law".

The spat is over the Netherlands' refusal to allow two Turkish ministers to campaign and court the votes of Turks eligible to vote in an April 16 referendum on expanding Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.

On Monday, Turkey imposed a series of political sanctions against the Netherlands, including halting political discussions between the two countries.

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