Austria bars Turkish economy minister for event marking coup anniversary
VIENNA -- Austria has barred Turkish Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci from entering the country to attend an event marking the anniversary of last year's failed coup in Turkey, a spokesman for Austria's Foreign Ministry said in remarks broadcast on Monday.
"I can confirm that (Austrian) Foreign Minister (Sebastian) Kurz has in fact forbidden the Turkish economy minister from entering the country," the spokesman told ORF radio. He said the event was "very big" and that the visit represented a "danger for public order and security in Austria".
The decision followed a similar move by the Netherlands, which said on Friday Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes was not welcome to visit for a ceremony among Turkish expatriates to commemorate the anniversary.
