CHP slams US over suspension of visa processes in Turkey
Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) has slammed a U.S. decision to suspend visa processes in the country, calling on both sides to use their common sense.
“The U.S. stance is definitely unacceptable,” said CHP Deputy Group Chair Engin Altay on Oct. 9.
“This is a low point in Turkey-U.S. ties and a historic breaking point,” said Altay, adding the decision would create difficulty in people’s lives.
“First of all, we are calling for common sense during this crisis. We have to call out to both the AK Party [Justice and Development Party] officials and the U.S., who has deemed such an attitude against us as proper.”
Altay also slammed Turkish foreign policy for being “incapable, shallow and adventurous,” adding it “makes life harder for all, including business people, students, athletes and politicians.”
“It is a dire situation for Turkey to face the same attitude that challenges countries like Somalia, Yemen, Iran, Libya and Cambodia, and I am not belittling these countries,” he said.
The politician also questioned whether the real motive behind Washington’s decision was actually the arrest of a U.S. consulate employee over alleged links to U.S.-based Fethullah Gülen or “the result of a disturbance deriving from Turkey’s steps in Middle East politics, particularly in Syria and Iraq, considered not in balance with the policies of Russia and Iran.”
“The U.S. government should make an explanation to the nation on this issue,” Altay said.
The CHP has warned the AKP over relations with Egypt, Middle Eastern countries and the European Union, he said.
The decision is also “an open indicator that the West has trust issues regarding the Turkish judicial system,” he added.
Altay called on the U.S. to revise its decision.
