Turkey asks extradition of 452 people in 83 countries for FETÖ cases

Sevil Erkuş - ANKARA

Turkey has sent files of sent extradition requests 83 countries for 452 people on accusation of being affiliated to the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Nov. 14.

Along with suspects extracted to third countries, a total of 104 FETÖ members in 21 countries were brought to Turkey, the minister said speaking at the budget debate of the parliament.

FETÖ affiliated schools and language courses were closed in 21 countries, he said noting that those schools were handed over Maarif Foundation in 16 countries. Some 23 percentage of the foreign ministry staff were dismissed due to FETÖ connection, but they are recruiting new public servants at the moment, the minister said.

In the parliament debate, the minister informed the lawmakers about the perspectives of Turkish foreign policy.

Turkey resumes efforts for visa liberalization

Turkey has resumed efforts to meet six remaining benchmarks for visa liberalization process with the EU and the government will continue its reforms the minister noted pledging to continue the country’s EU process.

Çavuşoğlu stated that the government will hold its second EU reform action group meeting in the second week of December. “We will focus on the areas of Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, Justice, Freedom and Security,” he said.

Recalling that Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe has taken Turkey under scrutiny and said Turkey aims to and this process. “We have already mat two important priority with lifting state of emergency and establishing State of emergency investigation commission. We will take necessary steps as will,” he said.

Ankara wills to normalize ties with US

In his presentation text about the Turkish-U.S. ties, Çavuşoğlu said Turkey was making efforts to get the U.S. Congress to drop bills targeting Ankara.

The U.S. Senate initiated to block sales of F-35 jets to Turkey unless U.S. President Donald Trump certifies that Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems are not threatening NATO, and on the issue of detaining U.S. citizens.

Çavuşoğlu also said that Turkey is working to keep economic ties with the U.S. from being impacted by political issues.

“In 2019, we have the will to make normalize our relations with the US. We will make progress as our constructive attitude corresponds (by the US),” the minister said in his speech text.

Turkey aim deepen ties with Saudi Arabia

Turkey aims to deepen its relations with Saudi Arabia in all aspects, the minister said in his speech text, adding that Turkey makes efforts to maintain dialogue in regional and international issues and try to raise awareness about sensitivities of Ankara in regional issues.

Turkey tries to keep on momentum in ties with Saudi Arabia since King Salman has taken the power, said the minister said noting that the country pas a strategic role among Gulf Cooperation Council and in Islamic World.

Informing about the relations with Qatar, the minister noted Ankara aims to develop bilateral ties the Gulf country to the highest levels. The total value of direct investment of Qatar to Turkey is 2 billion US Dollars as of August 2018, while Turkey’s total direct investments equals to 31 million US Dollars, according to the minister’s speech text.

Turkey has sent files of sent extradition requests to 83 countries for 452 people on accusation of being affiliated to and files on hundreds of people linked to the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), Çavuşoğlu said.

Along with suspects extracted to third countries, a total of 104 FETÖ members in 21 countries were brought to Turkey, he noted.