Turkish businesses want immediate normalization in US-Turkey ties

Turkey’s leading business groups have voiced their hope for an immediate lowering in recent tension between Ankara and Washington, stressing the need for diplomacy to ease the crisis.

Turkish Union of the Chamber and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) head Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said Turkey and the U.S. had deep-rooted bilateral ties as two key NATO members.

“The strength of bilateral relations has fueled our hopes about an easing of the problem through dialogue. We believe the issue will be resolved in a short time through diplomatic means,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said on Oct. 9.

The International Investors Association (YASED) also voiced its members’ expectation for a resolution in the political tension through diplomatic channels.

“We want to see an immediate normalization in bilateral ties,” said YASED President Ahmet Erdem.

“International companies, headquartered in the U.S. and Turkey, want to see a further deepening in bilateral ties between Turkey and the U.S., two key NATO allies, and they make a crucial contribution to boosting these ties through investments. We hope the recent problems will be resolved by diplomacy,” Erdem added.

The head of the Independent Industrialist and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD), seen as being close to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), had previously said on Oct. 9 that he believes Ankara and Washington will resolve the issue surrounding the U.S.’s decision to suspend non-immigrant visa operations at its diplomatic facilities in Turkey “with common sense as soon as possible.”

“We believe the two allied countries, as NATO members that have succeeded in collaborative works from Bosnia to Afghanistan, will solve this diplomatic tension with common sense,” said Mustafa Tuncer, state-run Anadolu Agency quoted him as saying.

Tuncer emphasized the importance of pursuing economic, cultural, social and humanitarian ties “rationally.”

The U.S. on Oct. 8 suspended non-immigrant visa operations at all diplomatic facilities in Turkey, saying it was reassessing Ankara’s commitment to the security of U.S. facilities and personnel. Ankara retaliated by suspending all non-immigrant visa services for U.S. citizens.