VOA常速英语:土耳其-欧洲紧张局势加剧，德国希望安卡拉不越位

Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders waded into the growing debate in Europe this week staging a protest against the visit of Turkish ministers campaigning for the referendum.

“We are in Holland here, not in Turkey.And a Turkish minister has no room here to lobby, um for, um, somebody like Mr. Erdogan who is a mere dictator.”

The Dutch Prime Minister later added his objections.

“It is about a referendum by which the Turkish Republics were off the way from democracy.”

Germany and Austria have also objected to visits by Turkish ministers.Ankara blames what it calls growing Fascism in Europe,and has cast a rift as an attempt by Europe to influence the outcome of the April 16 referendum.

“God willing.April 16 will be the day my citizens (who) will be hindered in the Western and around the world, we will also celebrate.”

Erdogan compared Germany’s response to the actions of the Nazis, Berlin call that unjustifiable.Analyst Kamran Matin says Turkey has sought to exploit the rift.

“It was really stemming from the German authorities’ concern for the German-Kurdish relation within Germany because a large number of Turkish citizens living there actually have Kurdish origin.But I think the Turkish government and Recep Tayyip Erdogan especially,they very quickly seized on this and rechanneled it towards basically their campaign for the, changing the structure of the state.”

Europe has made clear its concerns over the path of the Turkish government.Over 40,000 people have been arrested since a failed coup last July, including last month a German journalist based in Turkey.The EU fears giving the President more powers would further undermine democracy.

But Europe, and especially Germany, needs to keep Turkey onside, says Matin.

“The refugee deal they have with the EU, and especially with respect to Germany, is crucial leverage they have over Germany specially.And the flow of refugees would have immediate impact in the German domestic politics.Turkey is such a geopolitically important state and actor for the, not only the European countries,but the entire Western bloc, especially facing the resurgence of Russia.”

Berlin has voiced hope that diplomatic relations will improve after the referendum.

Henry Ridgwell, for VOA news, London.