Hollande, Merkel condemn Erdogan's 'unacceptable' Nazi remarks

Paris: The French and German leaders on Thursday condemned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "unacceptable" remarks accusing Germany and the Netherlands of acting like "Nazis".

Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel "consider comparisons with Nazism and aggressive statements against Germany and other member states  unacceptable", they said in a joint statement after speaking by telephone, the French president's office said.

Turkey and Europe have been locked in a diplomatic spat after The Netherlands and Germany blocked Turkish ministers from holding campaign rallies to secure a "yes" vote in next month's referendum on expanding Erdogan's powers.

While Erdogan has repeatedly accused the countries of acting like "Nazis", the European Union has warned Ankara to show moderation in its language.