Turkish President claims 'Germany supports terror' after Angela Merkel backs Netherlands in row

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has backed the Netherlands in its diplomatic fight with Turkey as Nato's chief called for alliance members to respect each other and the European Union urged Turkey to calm down.

The argument is over the Netherlands' refusal to allow Turkish officials to campaign there for support among Turks who are eligible to vote in an April 16 referendum that would greatly expand the powers of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.