An official statement by Danish Prime Minister Lars Lökke Rasmussen pointed out that the decision of cancellation was made in relation to the recent tensions between Turkey and European countries, saying;

“Under normal circumstances it would be a pleasure for me to greet Prime Minister Yıldırım in Copenhagen but with the current rhetorical attacks by Turkey against the Netherlands, a new meeting cannot be isolated from that. I have therefore suggested to my Turkish colleague that our meeting is postponed.

The Danish government is observing current developments in Turkey with great concern as democratic principles are under considerable pressure. Normally this would not hinder a meeting, bur rather make it even more relevant as it would present an opportunity to express our concerns directly. However, the characterization of the Western democracies and the current rhetorical attacks against the Netherlands by Turkey means that a meeting right now would be interpreted as if Denmark is viewing development in Turkey more mildly which is not at all the case.”