President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, received the World Union of Ahıska Turks (DATÜB) President Ziyatdin Kassanov and a 70-member delegation representing 9 countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, USA) at the Presidential Complex in Ankara.
President Erdoğan Praises DATÜB and Kassanov
During the meeting, President Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye closely follows the global struggle of Ahıska Turks. “We have always stood by our Ahıska brothers and sisters in their rightful cause, and we will continue to do so,” he said. Highlighting his long-standing friendship with DATÜB President Ziyatdin Kassanov, Erdoğan stated, “Our solidarity with my brother Ziyatdin Kassanov goes back many years. We highly value and appreciate the work carried out by DATÜB.”
Erdoğan underlined that the determination and success demonstrated by Ahıska Turks in the countries they reside in is a source of pride for Türkiye, adding that the Ahıska issue is regarded as a “duty of loyalty and brotherhood” by the Turkish state. He also noted that citizenship and homeland resettlement processes for Ahıska Turks continue as official state policy. “We will continue defending your cause on international platforms, especially at the Council of Europe and the Organization of Turkic States,” Erdoğan said. He further emphasized the historical significance of the Ahıska exile, stating, “Honoring the memory of those we lost during the exile is our duty of loyalty.”
DATÜB President Kassanov: “Türkiye’s support is an honor for us”
Speaking after the meeting, DATÜB President Ziyatdin Kassanov expressed deep gratitude for Türkiye’s ongoing support. “We were uprooted from our homeland overnight, but we never abandoned our identity. Today, Türkiye’s helping hand is not just support—it is respect shown to our history, our pain, and our honor,” he said.
Kassanov reaffirmed that DATÜB remains committed to preserving the identity and culture of Ahıska Turks, noting that Türkiye’s care and commitment carries profound meaning for the entire diaspora.
Special Thanks for Evacuation and Resettlement Efforts
Kassanov also extended special thanks to President Erdoğan for Türkiye’s decisive role in the safe evacuation of Ahıska Turks from Ukraine during the recent crisis, as well as for the successful execution of planned resettlement (iskanlı göç) programs. He emphasized that Türkiye’s efforts in these sensitive processes represent “one of the clearest expressions of genuine brotherhood.”
Citizenship Granted to 170,000 Ahıska Turks
The meeting also addressed official initiatives concerning Ahıska Turks. To date, more than 170,000 Ahıska Turks have been granted exceptional Turkish citizenship, and over 150,000 have received long-term residence permits. These steps were described as a new source of security and belonging for Ahıska Turks dispersed across various countries.