Diplomacy will save day

Majority of Turkish business leaders call for swift diplomacy to quell US visa problem

Early last week, Turkey was plunged into another geopolitical crisis in a year becoming synonymous with them: from the ongoing spat with Germany since the early months of 2017, through brushes with the Netherlands and other European countries during the Turkish constitutional referendum period in April to the fall out of the Kurdistan independence referendum in Northern Iraq last month.

Then, on Oct. 8, the US suspended the processing of all non-immigrant visa services for Turkey after the Turkish authorities had arrested a US-embassy employee. Turkey then responded in kind and the moves led to a 6% fall in the Turkish lira against the US dollar. With the economy since recovering lost ground, here are the responses from the Turkish business world.

►Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey President M. Rifat Hisarciklioglu

“Turkey and the US, the strongest members of NATO, are deeply rooted. Our strong relationship has strong economic, social and political grounds and makes us hope that the issue will be overcome through dialogue. We believe diplomatic processes will help to end the problem in a short period of time.”

►Economic Development Foundation Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoglu

“The US’s suspension of non-immigrant visa applications from Turkey is a serious violation of relations. On the contrary, when Turkey takes a similar decision, it is a rightful manner in terms of international relations from a recipricol standpoint. Turkey, particularly after 15 July, has had highly understandable demands of the US to combat the disease. US support for the YPG [People’s Protection Units] was another issue that caused problems in the relationship. They should take steps to eliminate these justifiable worries if Turkey is an important ally. Unfortunately, we have not seen this support so far.”

►Turkish Industry and Business Association High Advisory Council President Tuncay Ozilhan

“With the introduction of diplomatic channels, relations need to be normalized. The problems that have accumulated for a long time have now transformed into a balls-up. As someone who has been following the relationship with the US for 50 years, I can say that the two countries have had a few such problems. In the West, there is the question of Turkey changing its axis recently after contacts with Russia, Iran and Venezuela. The duty to normalize relations with Turkey also falls to the US and the West. Turkey wants to see its allies beside it while fighting against more than one terrorist organization.”

►Turkish-American Business Association (TABA) President Ali Osman Akat

“I do not identify the current situation as a ‘crisis.’ After the visa decision of a couple of bureaucrats, there is actually no problem in practice. The 90-day exemption for US citizens continues. Turks with visas can enter the US without any holds or detention. You can also apply for a US visa online. We regard the situation as a very short-term pain. I spoke to a few US investors. None of them are thinking of revising their business plans for Turkey. But everyone is psychologically affected. We were in a bid for SMEs exporting to the US. There may be an obstacle there. But with help, by also getting support from our resident citizens, we will overcome this short-term problem as well.”

►American Turkish Busniess Development Council President Ugur Terzioglu

“The decision was taken to prevent a piling up [of visa applications] at the embassy and consulate buildings. We expect the implementation to be removed shortly. In this period, there are not many tourists traveling from Turkey to the US. So it is out of the question that this practice will harm the relations of the two countries.”

►International Investors Association (YASED) President Ahmet Erdem

“International direct-investment companies contribute to the strengthening of relations between countries and communities, and the increase of cooperation opportunities through permanent investments that transcend national boundaries. US and Turkey-based international corporations do want these two important economic forces and NATO allies to improve their good relations and cooperation, and contribute to this partnership through investments. At YASED, we expect the political problems between Turkey and the US will be solved through diplomacy and that bilateral relations will return to normal in a short period of time.”

►Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) President Nail Olpak

“Developments should be perceived as a political move. Economic actors must work hard to prevent this movement from being carried into an economic dimension. We believe Turkey will solve every kind of development through diplomatic dialog. We, as the Turkish business community, are in favor of our government in its decisions that assess our national priorities. As we continue the dialogue with the US in a broader perspective, the size of our worries will diminish.”

►Turkish Exporters Assembly Chairman Mehmet Buyukeksi

“As Turkey’s exporters, we are trying to further strengthen trade ties between the two countries. To this end, we opened the Turkish Trade Center in the middle of New York a few weeks ago. But the latest developments over visas have upset us. If we think that mutual interests determine relations between countries, it is obvious that the visa problem will not provide any benefit to business people in both countries. Therefore, we believe this problem will be solved through mutual common sense and the correct communication channels as soon as possible.”