10.10.2026 20:00
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made important statements addressed to Turkish citizens living abroad in a video message sent to the 9th Ordinary General Assembly of the International Democrats Union. Drawing attention to the fight against cultural racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia, President Erdoğan stated that they will continue to support the Turkish diaspora of more than 7 million.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a video message to the 9th Ordinary General Assembly of the International Democrats Association. Touching on the rights of Turkish citizens living abroad and the problems they face, President Erdoğan gave a message of determination in the fight against discrimination.
MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN TO TURKS ABROAD President Erdoğan expressed his wish that the general assembly would produce important results for Turks living in Europe and citizens settled in different countries of the world. Drawing attention to a Turkish diaspora of more than 7 million, President Erdoğan thanked those carrying out work within the International Democrats Association. President Erdoğan said in his message: "I believe that the will that emerges at the general assembly will, together with you, bring productive and beneficial results for European Turks and the entire Turkish diaspora with a population of more than 7 million. I sincerely thank each and every one of my brothers and sisters who work selflessly for the peace and well-being of our citizens abroad under the umbrella of the International Democrats Association. I express my gratitude to all our non-governmental organizations that work with high awareness for our brothers and sisters who have made their place of exile a second homeland."
"IT IS ASSUMING A VERY VITAL RESPONSIBILITY" Also touching on the work of the International Democrats Association, President Erdoğan stated that the organization undertakes important duties in terms of protecting the identity and culture of the Turkish community abroad. In this part of his speech, President Erdoğan said: "Through the projects and activities it carries out, the International Democrats Association assumes a very vital responsibility for our nation's presence abroad. It makes a serious effort so that our brothers and sisters who carry a longing for their homeland in their hearts can reach better positions in the countries where they live, preserve their identity and culture, and make the maximum contribution to the society they live in, including democratic participation."
"WE WILL NEVER LEAVE OUR CITIZENS AT THE MERCY OF MORALLY BANKRUPT TYPES WHO DEMEAN THEM" In the continuation of his speech, Erdoğan touched on racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia, and emphasized that they would continue to fight these problems. President Erdoğan made the following statement regarding the protection of the rights of citizens abroad: "At the same time, we are making a significant effort toward solving problems such as cultural racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia. I congratulate the International Democrats Association, which, with its institutional experience and dynamic cadres, has achieved extremely successful work across a very wide geography, and I wish it success in its future work. We will continue to support and assist you with our institutions and organizations, such as our party's bilateral relations presidency and the Presidency for Turks Abroad. We will never leave you, our brothers and sisters living abroad, at the mercy of either xenophobic movements outside or morally bankrupt types who demean our citizens. I ask God's mercy for all our elders and brothers and sisters who passed away and who had a share in bringing the association to these days since its founding."