15 June 2009 - 19:30

The government of Turkey is unwilling to meet a delegation of Dutch MPs if anti-Islam campaigner Geert Wilders is among them.

Turkish daily Aksam reports that the Ankara government is worried that Mr Wilders will use the visit to challenge Islam.

Geert Wilders, leader of the opposition Freedom Party, has said he is determined to travel to Turkey in January. He said he wants to explain to the Turkish people why their country does not belong in the European Union.

Turkey has been negotiating with the EU about membership since 1963.

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