By Avrupa Agency (AVA) – London | Exclusive- Turkish lawmaker Dr. Turhan Comez has raised concerns over prolonged settlement application delays affecting Turkish nationals in the United Kingdom under the European Community Association Agreement (ECAA), commonly known as the Ankara Agreement. Thousands of Turkish citizens who applied for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the ECAA scheme have been waiting for decisions for more than two years, despite the UK Home Office stating that applications are generally processed within six months.
Comez Seeks UK Action on Prolonged ECAA Residency Applications
The delays have left many applicants unable to travel abroad, forcing them to miss important family events, including weddings and funerals in Turkey. Some have also reported difficulties in their professional lives due to restrictions on international travel.
Parliamentary Efforts Underway
Comez, Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Group of Turkey's opposition IYI Party and a member of parliament for Balikesir, said he has been engaged in diplomatic efforts to bring the issue to the attention of British authorities.
Meeting with Tahir Ali
Speaking to AVA, Comez said he recently met Tahir Ali, Chair of the UK–Turkey All-Party Parliamentary Group, along with members of the group's executive committee, to discuss the difficulties faced by ECAA applicants.
According to Comez, Ali pledged to seek a meeting with the UK Home Secretary in the coming days to explore possible solutions.
"I will meet him again in London soon and receive an update on the latest developments," Comez said.
The Turkish lawmaker added that a follow-up face-to-face meeting is expected to take place in London in the near future.
Earlier Talks with Nesil Caliskan
Comez also met Labour MP Nesil Caliskan in May as part of his efforts to build parliamentary support for affected Turkish nationals.
Describing Caliskan as one of Parliament's youngest and most active members, Comez noted that they have worked together within the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. He said their discussions represented another important channel for raising the concerns of ECAA applicants.
"We Will Continue to Follow the Issue"
"We will continue to closely monitor the problems faced by Turkish citizens living in the United Kingdom and seek solutions," Comez said.
The issue has been highlighted both through parliamentary contacts in Britain and through public statements made via Avrupa Agency.
Applicants affected by the delays hope that the diplomatic initiatives will lead to concrete action by the Home Office and accelerate decisions on long-pending settlement applications.
