The 2nd general assembly of World's Meskhetian Turks' Association (WMTA) was held in Istanbul. Çorum Parliamentarian Saim Uslu, our Rector Prof. Dr. Reha Metin Alkan, Beykent University Rector Prof. Dr. M. Emin Karahan, International Journalism Association For Turkish-Speaking Countries Chairman Güngör Yavuzaslan, 70 delegates of WMTA from 10 different countries, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a crowded group of 200 people attended the general assembly.
After his welcoming and opening speech, World's Meskhetian Turks' Association Deputy Chairman Prof. Dr. İlyas Doğan said, “We have two basic strategies. The first one is to increase the unity and recognition of Meskhetian Turks; the second one is to conduct studies for enabling Meskhetian Turks to turn back to their country.
Explaining that they could not imagine that level in 2008 when WMTA was founded, World's Meskhetian Turks' Association Chairman Ziyatdin Kassanov said, “We thanked God when each organisation signed up for the association. WMTA is a union belonging to 550 thousand Meskhetian Turks. We had to know each other and meet. Today is an unforgettable day for us. I will continue to serve even if I am not selected.” Furthermore, Ziyatdin Kassanov stated that 7 thousand Meskhetian Turks have been waiting to become a citizen for 4 years.
Çorum Parliamentarian Saim Uslu said, “I am here as a brother who has suffered from the same troubles like you. There are symbolic names in the political history of the struggles of oppressed societies. Meskhetian Turks does not have such a leader. But, World's Meskhetian Turks' Association (WMTA) will fill this gap. WMTA is leading the Meskhetian Turks by institutionalizing. The Turkish Republic has embraced 2 million Syrians, Kurds coming from Iraq, those coming from Kobani and those emigrating from Bulgaria. Certain questions should be asked for 7 thousand Meskhetian Turks’ not becoming citizens. Saim Uslu informed that Turkey has to make investments especially on agriculture and Meskhetian Turks should be employed in these working areas.
International Journalism Association For Turkish-Speaking Countries Chairman Güngör Yavuzaslan stated that as an association, they would like to work with Meskhetian Turk journalists supporting the struggle of Meskhetian Turks and he emphasized that a strong media presence is vital in country struggle.
