The US is trying to “press” on Turkish business that cooperates with Russia: the Association of Industrialists and Businessmen of Turkey (TÜSİAD), which includes many hoteliers and travel companies, received a threatening letter from the US Treasury. The association confirmed the fact of receiving a letter from the US Ministry of Finance – it contained a warning for Turkish companies – not to work with Russian institutions and businessmen who are under sanctions. Otherwise, Turkish business is at risk of falling under secondary sanctions. To what extent this will affect tourism is still unclear, but judging by the fact that the statement is broadcast by all travel media, business is alarmed.
“As reported today in various media outlets, the letter from US Deputy Treasury Secretary Adewale Adeyemo stating that Turkish companies’ work with individuals and entities subject to sanctions under the Russia sanctions may result in the risk of secondary sanctions for companies operating in Turkey, was sent to TÜSİAD. The relevant letter was sent to TÜSİAD, as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, and the Ministry of Trade,” Turkish businessmen officially stated.
It should be noted that, according to the tourist media, this is not the first such appeal – since February 24, several have already been received, and the last one was in June. Demands are growing. According to a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) quote from the letter, it says the following: “Any individual or entity that provides financial support to persons sanctioned by the United States is exposed to the risk of US sanctions.”
By the way, Turkish banks cooperating with Russia were also threatened with sanctions, in particular regarding the “MIR” payment system. Adeyemo noted in the letter that Turkish banks while maintaining ties with American banks, will not be able to establish correspondent banking relations with Russian banks under sanctions. The publication also states that the deputy minister from the States is very concerned that “the Russians are using Turkey to circumvent the sanctions imposed by the United States and 30 countries.”
What will be the consequences of the next message and how it will affect tourism are still difficult to understand. In any case, tourism “tangentially” may well have relations with sanctioned Russian companies. Judging by the publications in the entire tourist press, the topic excited tourism in Turkey. But it is obvious that they are not going to give up Russian tourists in the country.