Turkish capitalists stress constructive approach regarding US sanctions

Wealthiest capitalists' organizations call on the U.S. and Turkey to reinforce the constructive approach to resolve diplomatic tension following the U.S.sanctions on Turkey
U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Thursday, 02 August 2018 22:37

Turkey's wealthiest capitalists' organisations highlighted the "need for a constructive approach" in the relations of Turkey and the US in their statements on the ongoing tension between the two countries.

Official statements from the Turkish AKP government have also indicated to the importance of reinforcing good relations with the US. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed recently that Ankara's relations with the US have been on good terms, reminding Turkey's services to NATO and the Korean war.

"The US should not forget that it could lose a strong and sincere partner like Turkey if it does not change its attitude," Erdoğan said on July 29. 

The Minister of Treasury and Finance Berat Albayrak also noted: "Our priority is to resolve the situation through diplomacy and constructive efforts as two countries with solid historical background and alliance." Albayrak also added that the consequences of the situation "would have little impact on Turkey and Turkey's economy."

Turkey's Independent Industrialists and Businessmen Association (MÜSİAD) has sent a letter to the senators of nine U.S. states where Turkish people densely live on August 2, following the recent Washington sanctions on Ankara.

"It is necessary for the NATO allies,U.S. and Turkey to act in mutual respect for the steps they take in terms of principles of the rule of law," the businessmen association has said after the recent diplomatic tension between the two countries.

MÜSİAD's letter reminded the two parties about the "vital economic and political relations", adding that the commercial cooperation should go on despite political tension.

As the report underlines that the trade volume between the U.S. and Turkey reached $18,7 billion in 2017, it expects to raise this figure over $20 billion this year. The letter was sent to some U.S. senators including Bob Corker, Marco Rubio, Tim Kaine and Rand Paul.

'SANCTIONS ARE AGANIST THE NATURE OF STRATEGIC ALLIANCE'

Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) Chair Erol Bilecik has also made a statement  regarding the U.S. sanctions against the two Turkish ministers, saying that the U.S. decision is unacceptable.

"The relations based on 90 years between Turkey and the U.S. have been strengthened due to the effect of mutual cultural and economic contacts, turning into an alliance in time on the basis of the Western values and geo-strategic foundations," he said.

Bilecik has argued that the U.S. sanctions following the recent diplomatic problem between the two countries are against the nature of the strategic alliance, adding that the bilateral relations should be repaired  with a constructive approach in terms of dialogue and diplomatic practices.

"OUR GREATEST CHANCE IS CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF ERDOĞAN AND TRUMP'

Turkey-U.S. Business Council  Chair Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ has issued a written notice following the diplomatic spat. "The strategic and economic interests between the countries are so great, strong and deep that the bilateral relations  got out of difficulties even after most severe crises," he has said.

Indicating to the cooperation of the U.S. and Turkey particularly in NATO and Syria, Yalçındağ has noted that the economic relations are still healthy. He has added that it would be positive if the U.S. administration pays attention to "Turkey's security concerns" and takes a step in the extradition of the U.S-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen and his sect while Turkey mutually takes the U.S. demands into consideration.

On 15 July 2016, CIA-linked Gülen network, which is also an Islamic cult, attempted to topple down Erdoğan by a military coup but it failed. 

"As the business world, we hope that the mutual sincerity which we witnessed at the NATO summit would be carried forward," he has said. Comparing U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Yalçındağ has argued that both of them are similarly brave and confident leaders. "Our greatest chance is the characteristic features of Erdoğan and Trump," he has stressed.

Alleging that the two leaders have fought against the establishment, interest groups and perception operations, he has noted that the two realist and pragmatist leaders could solve the crisis. 

The White House announced yesterday that the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers over the detained American pastor, Andrew Brunson, who was being tried on espionage and terror-related charges.