Turkey asks US for ‘immediate action’ in providing visa services to Turks

Sevil Erkuş - ANKARA

The Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the morning of Oct. 9, following the U.S.’s decision to halt visa services in the country, according to sources.

During the meeting, two general directors of the ministry asked the U.S. official to secure “immediate relief” to the unjust treatment of Turkish citizens, sources told the Hürriyet Daily News.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Ümit Yalçın spoke on the phone with U.S. Ambassador to Turkey John Bass late on Oct. 8, following the U.S Embassy statement announcing suspension of visa services.

Sources say Ankara’s suspension of all non-immigrant visa services at Turkish diplomatic facilities in the U.S. in retaliation at the U.S. visa move will go into effect late on Oct. 9. The Turkish Foreign Ministry has already removed the e-visa application section for the U.S. from its official website.