Turkish president meets Ahıska Turks

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with Ziyatdin Kassanov, head of the World Union of Ahıska Turks (DATÜB), at the Presidential Complex and reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Meskhetian Turks worldwide.

During the meeting, Erdoğan emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to addressing citizenship and return issues for Meskhetian Turks and highlighted ongoing efforts to accommodate those displaced by the war in Ukraine.

He noted that Türkiye has granted exceptional citizenship to nearly 170,000 Meskhetian Turks and long-term residence permits to more than 150,000.

The president also underlined that the country’s institutions, including TİKA and the Presidency for Turks Abroad, will maintain aid for communities in need.