CHP leader Özel's 'Schengen' and 'Palestine' message: 'We explained the grievances amounting to persecution'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel held important meetings at the Party of European Socialists (PES) Leaders' Summit held in Bucharest, the capital of Romania.

Meeting with Iratxe Garcia Perez, President of the Group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, regarding the long-standing Schengen visa issues, Özel said the following in a post on X:

"WE STATED THAT EUROPE MUST PROVIDE AN URGENT SOLUTION"

"During our contacts in Bucharest yesterday, as with many other leaders, we discussed the visa issue in our meeting with Iratxe Garcia Perez, President of the Group of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament.

We explained the grievances amounting to persecution experienced by many of our citizens, especially our students, business people, and drivers, who have been waiting months for appointments for Schengen visas to travel to Europe.

We stated that Europe must provide an urgent solution to this problem. Ms. Garcia Perez stated that she would deal with this issue immediately and keep us informed."

MESSAGE ON PALESTINE

Özel also expressed his support for Spain's announcement that it would recognize Palestine, using the following expressions in his post:

"I welcomed the announcement by my dear friend, Spanish Prime Minister and Socialist International President Pedro Sanchez, that they will recognize the State of Palestine before the summer months. I reiterate my call to all social democratic leaders to recognize Palestine and stand with Palestine."