Avoiding Crisis with Italy at the Last Moment

AKP Afyon deputy Reyhan Balandi, who was one of the three deputies to represent Turkey at the forum, wished to attend the acquaintance reception of Carlo Marsili, the Italian Ambassador to Ankara. However, a discussion occurred when she was asked to show an identity card at the gate of the Embassy.

It was reported that when she was telling the officials that she was invited, she left the Embassy saying, "Here is Turkey; in Turkey, the guest is not asked to show an identity card. I protest this situation and do not attend the invitation. I will also cancel my program in Rome. I will also report it to the prime ministers of both countries."

It was informed that Balandi reported the incident to Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and he wished her to go to Rome in the case of an apology.

Meanwhile, Italian Ambassador Marsili, who was informed of the discussion at the gate of the Embassy, came to the Parliament with his Turkish wife Selva yesterday and visited Balandi at her office. When Reporters asked for the opinion of the Ambassador on the incident, Selva Marsili only said, "We are just making a courtesy visit; we came to get introduced." However, Balandi confirmed the incident but did not wish to go into details.