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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gestures as he delivers a speech during a city planning meeting in Ankara on January 27th 2017. Photo: AFP

Turkey has slammed Austria's "double standard" and "irresponsible" approach to potential campaigning by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the EU member state ahead of April's referendum.

Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said Erdogan is "not welcome" to hold campaign events, adding that it would "increase friction" in Austria and prevent the integration of a 360,000-strong minority of Turkish origin.

"We do not accept those irresponsible comments that exceed their limits andthe distorted mentality," Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Huseyin Muftuoglusaid in a statement lateon Monday.

Kurz's comments are a "new example of a biased and double standardapproach", he added.

Turkey will hold anApril 16threferendum on changing the constitution togive Erdogan an executive presidency along the lines of that in France or inthe United States.

The Turkish government says the changes would bring stability whileopponents fear it would hugely boost Erdogan's powers and drag Turkey intoone-man rule.

Speaking in Viennaon Monday, Kurz said his government was clearly againstbringing the "the Turkish campaign and (the resulting) polarisation to Austria" in remarks deemed as "worrying" by the Turkish foreign ministry.

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Turkey angry after Erdogan is told he can't campaign in Austria - The Local Austria