President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received the delegation of the World Union of the Meskhetian Turks
“President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received Ziyatdin Ismihanoğlu Kassanov, the President of the World Union of Meskhetian Turks(DATÜB), and the accompanying delegation at the Presidential Complex. Hüseyin Kök, the Director of the Migration Administration, was also present at the meeting.”
“President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized that the pain of the deportation of nearly 100,000 Meskhetian Turks from their ancestral homeland to distant lands on November 14, 1944, is still felt deeply in hearts, and stated the following:”
“We are marking the 81st anniversary of this unfortunate exile. We consider it a duty of loyalty to commemorate and honor the cherished memory of those we lost during the deportation. In this context, numerous memorial events and conferences are held in our country every year.”
“It would be appropriate to reach the witness regions of exile.”
President Erdoğan drew attention to the struggle of the Meskhetian Turks, stating:
It would be appropriate to take these events to different countries, especially to the regions that witnessed the exile. I understand that you are planning to organise an interactive exhibition on exile in collaboration with our Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We aim to make this exhibition permanent in a suitable venue after it has been displayed in Türkiye and various other countries. In this way, we can permanently showcase the arduous struggle of our Meskhetian Turks brothers and sisters and pass it on to future generations."
“As Türkiye, we are always by your side”
President Erdoğan stated that he was pleased to see representatives of the Meskhetian Turks, who had come to Türkiye affected by the war in Ukraine, in the delegation.
As you know, we have temporarily settled 2,315 Meskhetian Turks who requested international protection from our country in Elazığ. We have housed 703 of our brothers and sisters in the first phase of housing built by TOKİ in Bitlis Ahlat, and we are rapidly constructing the second phase of housing. Previously, with a decision we made in 2015, we settled 3,215 Meskhetians a compatriots affected by the conflicts in Ukraine in Erzincan Üzümlü and Bitlis Ahlat. To date, we have granted exceptional citizenship to approximately 170,000 Meskhetian Turks and long-term residence permits to more than 150,000 people. We will continue to support our brothers and sisters in need in other countries through TIKA and the Presidency for Türks Abroad. I want you to know that Türkiye will always be by your side. May God keep us united and together."
Appreciation and Meaningful Gifts from DATÜB
Ziyatdin İsmihanoğlu Kassanov, President of the World Union of the Meskhetian Turks, thanked President Erdoğan for his support to the Meskhetian Turks and stated that Türkiye would always stand by them
The delegation presented President Erdoğan with a Caucasian kalpak (hat), a khan's caftan, a calligraphic panel bearing the prayer ‘Rabbi Yessir’ by Çırçırlı Ali Efendi, and a pen symbolising the Turkish tribes.
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