US delegation arrives in Ankara for talks on visa dispute

A delegation of senior American officials arrived in Ankara on Monday for talks aimed at ending the row between Turkey and the United States which has led to a suspension of visa services.

"This situation must come to an end as it is not a sustainable situation," said Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ, who is also government spokesman.

"It will be in the interest of both countries for the visa crisis not to be extended further."

The American delegation will meet Turkish officials from the foreign, justice and interior ministry on Tuesday, Bozdağ told reporters in Ankara.

Last week relations plunged between the NATO allies after Washington stopped issuing non-immigrant visas at its missions in Turkey following the arrest of a US consulate employee over alleged links to the group accused of launching last year's failed coup.

Turkey responded with a tit-for-tat measure and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last week blamed outgoing US ambassador to Ankara John Bass for the suspension.

"Turkey-American relations have passed very strong tests, but we have never faced such incidents like the visa crisis in any period," Bozdağ said.

Jonathan Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, is leading the American delegation, state-run news agency Anadolu said.