A Letter from the Republican People’s Party to EU Ambassadors

CHP Secretary-General Assoc. Prof. Dr. Selin Sayek Böke and Deputy Chairman Responsible for the Ministry of National Education Suat Özçağdaş sent a New Year’s greeting letter to EU ambassadors.

In the letter, the challenges faced by students seeking to pursue their education abroad during the visa application process last year were highlighted. It was also expressed that the CHP is ready to collaborate on any measures to prevent similar issues in the upcoming year.

“Our Youth Faced Challenges Due to Visa Applications”

The letter pointed out that many young individuals experienced difficulties, stating: “Despite completing all required documents and receiving official acceptance letters, many of our youth faced delays or rejections in the visa application process, causing them significant distress.” The letter also emphasized the importance of international education.

“We Are Ready to Assist with Any Cooperation and Support”

Addressing the inability of young people to attend the universities to which they had been accepted due to visa issues, the letter stated: “We would like to express our readiness to assist with any cooperation and support for the steps you will take to address the grievances of our youth and to prevent similar situations in the future.”

The full text of the letter reads as follows:

Dear Ambassador,

We extend our warmest New Year greetings and wish you, your loved ones, and the entire world peace, health, and happiness in 2025.

As the Republican People’s Party, we closely monitor the educational agenda in our country. One of the issues we followed over the past year was the challenges faced by students aspiring to study at prestigious universities abroad during the visa application process. Despite completing their documentation in full and obtaining official acceptance letters, many of our youth faced delays in the process or had their visa applications rejected, causing them significant distress.

International education is highly valuable not only for broadening individuals’ horizons, introducing them to new cultures, languages, and perspectives but also for fostering intercultural cooperation and communication. We hope that our bright youth, who invest considerable time and resources in pursuing academic, professional, or personal development abroad, will not encounter such problems in the new year.

We wish to express our readiness to assist with any cooperation and support for the steps you will take to address the grievances of our youth and prevent similar situations in the future.

Thank you in advance for your attention and support. We wish you and your colleagues success and tranquility in the New Year.