President Erdoğan receives DATÜB delegation
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan received President of the World Union of Ahıska Turks (DATÜB) Ziyatdin Kassanov and his accompanying delegation at the Presidential Complex.
Expressing his wish for the preservation of the unity and solidarity of the Meskhetian Turks, from Uzbekistan to Georgia, and Russia to the United States, during the meeting, President Erdoğan voiced his appreciation for the Union’s works.
Stating that they address the issues of the return of the Meskhetian Turks to their homeland and their acquiring citizenship, President Erdoğan said: “We follow your rightful cause both at bilateral levels and within such international organizations as the European Council and the Organization of Turkic States. We have strong ties of affection with you, and we remain in strong solidarity with you. Our embassies and consulate generals’ doors have always been open to you regarding the issues concerning our Meskhetian brothers and sisters.”
Expressing his happiness over seeing the representatives of the Meskhetian Turks, who have affected by the war in Ukraine and come to Türkiye, within the delegation, President Erdoğan added: “As you know, we have temporarily placed the 2,315 Meskhetian Turks, who requested international protection from our country, in Elazığ. We have accommodated our 703 brothers and sisters among them at the first phase houses built by TOKİ in Ahlat, Bitlis, and are rapidly constructing the second phase houses. In line with the decision we took in 2015, we accommodated our 3,215 Meskhetian kinsmen, who were affected by the conflicts in Ukraine, in Üzümlü, Erzincan and in Ahlat, Bitlis. We have thus far provided nearly 170 thousand Meskhetian Turks with exceptional citizenship, and granted over 150 thousand of them long-term residence permit. Also, we will maintain our support to all our brothers and sisters in need in other countries through our institutions such as TİKA and the Presidency for Turks Abroad. I want you to know that as Türkiye we always stand by you.”
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy was also present at the meeting.
