Turkish president Erdogan brands Netherlands a 'BANANA REPUBLIC

TURKISH president Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the Netherlands of acting like "banana republic" in a furious tirade.

The two countries are locked in a tense diplomatic row – and his comments are only likely to crank up tensions further.

The Netherlands yesterday blocked two of Erdogan's ministers from addressing Turkish expats in Rotterdam.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kayahad hoped to speak at a pro-Erdogan rally. 

But the ministers were not allowed into the country and the event was cancelled, with officials citing security fears.

And speaking this afternoon, Erdogan warned the Netherlands will "pay the price" for the dispute.

He added: "We will teach them international diplomacy."

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Dutch officials blocked two Turkish ministers from entering the country

The Turkish president had earlier called the Dutch officials "Nazi remnants and fascists".

In response, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said he would do everything to "de-escalate" the diplomatic row.

The left-winger said: "If they escalate we will have to respond, but we will do everything in our power to de-escalate."

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Erdogan warned the Netherlands that it will 'pay the price'

Around 2,000 Erdogan supporters demonstrated in front of the Turkish Consulate in Rotterdam last night.

But they were dispersed in the early morning hours by military police using horseback charges and water cannons.

Around 500,000 Turkish immigrants and their children live in the Netherlands, most of them holding dual nationality.