President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during his address at the “Türkiye’s Migration Management Model in the Turkish Century” summit, reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to humane migration management and its unwavering support for refugees.
The event, organized by Türkiye’s Ministry of Interior’s Migration Management Presidency, brought together key officials, including Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, to discuss global migration challenges.
Erdoğan highlighted the country’s significant achievements in addressing illegal immigration and migrant smuggling. Over the past two years, Türkiye successfully stopped 270,000 irregular migrants from entering, while also deporting more than 260,000 illegal migrants and detaining thousands of smugglers.
He emphasized Türkiye’s proactive role in tackling migration-related issues both within its borders and internationally.
As the global migration crisis intensifies, Erdoğan noted the increasing number of displaced individuals due to conflicts, instability, and climate change.
With over 281 million migrants worldwide, Türkiye stands as a key provider of refuge, currently hosting 4 million migrants, including 2.7 million Syrians under temporary protection.
This demonstrates Türkiye’s resilience and its crucial role in providing support to those in need. A key aspect of Türkiye’s migration policy is its international student program, which invites students from more than 190 countries.
Erdoğan clarified that most of these students finance their own education, refuting claims that Türkiye bears their expenses. He stressed that this program has become an integral part of Türkiye’s public diplomacy, with many graduates making significant contributions abroad in their respective fields.
Erdoğan also spoke emotionally about the voluntary return of Syrian refugees, noting that since December 2024, 200,000 Syrians have returned to their homeland, a testament to Türkiye’s dedication to their safety and well-being.
He reaffirmed Türkiye’s longstanding commitment to supporting the oppressed, despite criticism from opposition groups, emphasizing that the country’s stance has always been rooted in humanitarian values.
The summit concluded with a poignant video about Muhammed Eymen, a Syrian child refugee who fled the war and later returned to Syria, symbolizing Türkiye’s dedication to providing safe refuge and helping displaced individuals rebuild their lives.
This emotional moment encapsulated the overarching theme of the event Türkiye’s enduring commitment to humanitarian action.
