The U.S. and Turkey have resumed full reciprocal visa
services, ending a diplomatic dispute that began in October after Turkey
arrested an employee of the U.S. consulate in Istanbul.
On Thursday, the U.S. embassy in Ankara announced that it
would end restrictions on the issuance of visas to Turkish citizens because the
Turkish government has provided assurances that it would inform the U.S. ahead
of time if it intends to detain or arrest any U.S. embassy or consulate staff.
Turkey has also told the U.S. that no embassy or consulate staff will be
detained or arrested for performing their official duties, the embassy said.
Turkey responded
in kind Thursday, announcing an end to restrictions on visas for U.S.
citizens "in accordance with the principle of reciprocity."
But the Turkish embassy in Washington also put out a
statement disputing the U.S. claim that it had made such guarantees.
"It is inappropriate to misinform Turkish and American
public that such assurances were provided," the embassy said.
Turkey faults the U.S. for refusing to hand over Turkish
cleric Fethullah Gulen, a Pennsylvania resident who Turkey President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan blames for a July 2016 coup attempt. Turkey detained more than
110,000 people in a post-coup crackdown.