Dutch PM backs minister under fire for migration comments

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has given his backing to Foreign Minister Stef Blok, local media reported on Friday, despite an outcry over Blok's criticism of multiculturalism and European migration policy.

Blok had rowed back on the comments and could now "get back to work," Rutte said, according to Dutch news agency ANP.

The foreign minister, who belongs to the same party as Rutte, apologized in a letter to parliament, saying his statements were careless.

Blok told a gathering of Dutch workers with international organizations in July that he did not know of any country where people of different cultures were able to peacefully live together.

He also said in the meeting - which was not open to the public - that eastern European countries would never agree to the distribution of refugees across Europe.

Life was particularly difficult for "people of colour" in Poland or the Czech Republic, he said.

There was a backlash after a TV broadcaster released a recording of the event.

Coalition partners in the government strongly criticized Blok. Right-wing firebrand Geert Wilders said he supported his statements.