US delegation arrives in Ankara today for discussions to solve visa crisis

The first meeting between diplomatic delegations of the two countries in order to overcome the problem after the mutual suspension of visa transactions between Turkey and the United States will be held in Ankara tomorrow (Tuesday, October 17). According to information obtained from diplomatic sources, a delegation headed by Jonathan Cohen, Deputy Undersecretary for European and Eurasian Affairs arrived in Ankara in the evening. The American delegation is scheduled to meet with the Turkish delegation headed by Ahmet Muhtar Gün, Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to overcome visa problems.

Foreign Minister Mevlut CAVUSOGLU had talked to his American counterpart Rex TILLERSON on the phone last week after visa transactions were suspended between the two countries, following the detention of Metin TOPUZ, an employee of the US Consul General in Istanbul.

It was also reported that John Bass, the US ambassador to Ankara, had also discussed the issue with the Deputy Undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Bass had also announced last week that he would leave Turkey due to his appointment as US Ambassador to Afghanistan. It is reported that Philip KOSNETT is to run the embassy until a new ambassador is appointed by the USA.