Response to the departure of US President Erdogan’s ambassador

As Turkey prepares for elections to be held on May 14, Washington has responded to the “US Ambassador” controversy. raised on the agenda by President Erdogan.

US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake’s visit to CHP Chairman and Nation Alliance presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu on March 29 provoked a reaction from President Erdoğan.

At the event he attended the day before, Erdogan said: “We need to teach America a lesson in this election. Joe Biden speaks from there, what is the Biden ambassador doing here? He is going to visit Mr. Kemal. It’s a shame, give your head work. You are the ambassador. His interlocutor here is the President, ”he said.

“THIS IS A ROUTINE INTERVIEW”

Erdogan’s words were responded to by Washington. The US State Department said it was routine for ambassadors posted abroad to meet with all parties.

In response to a question from VOA Turkish, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said: “US ambassadors abroad regularly meet with members of the government, the press, various political parties, civil society and fellow diplomats as part of the of their routine diplomatic missions to understand developments in the countries they serve. The same is true for Ambassador Flake in Turkey,” he said.

There was a post about the visit of Flake and Kılıçdaroğlu on the official Twitter account of the US Embassy in Turkey.

The ministry did not respond to VOA Turkish’s request for comment on President Erdogan’s words that the United States must be taught a lesson in the December 14 election.

The photo of Kılıçdaroğlu and US Ambassador Flake was shared on the official Twitter account of the US Embassy in Ankara on March 29 and read: “Ambassador Flake met with Kılıçdaroğlu today as part of the continuous dialogue with Turkish political parties on issues of common interest. in our countries. Flake offered his condolences for the loss of life in the earthquakes and expressed US solidarity.