Statement of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tanju Bilgiç, in response to a question about the Circassian Exile

Republic Of Türkiye Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 21.05.2015

QA-16, 21 May 2015

During the conflicts that occurred when the Russian Empire invaded, occupied and annexed the Caucasus, as well as a result of the systematical oppression and massacres after the final ceasefire on 21 May 1864, hundreds of thousands of Caucasians lost their lives and the majority of the survivors took refuge in the Ottoman Empire en masse.

We observe with dismay that this tragedy has not found yet reverberations in the international arena as much as it deserves. We wish God’s mercy upon those who lost their lives in this tragedy and convey our condolences to their descendants living all around the world including Turkey.

Paying tribute respectfully to those who lost their lives during this great tragedy, we reiterate our call on all sides to contemplate together how to leave a more peaceful and serene world to the following generations on the basis of just memory.

Atatürk

Fikret TÜRKEŞ
Monday - Friday

09:00 - 12:30 / 14:00 - 17:00

Monday - Friday: 09.00 - 12.00
1/1/2026 1/1/2026 New Year's Day
2/16/2026 2/20/2026 Lunar New Year
2/27/2026 2/27/2026 Peace Memorial Day
3/20/2026 3/20/2026
4/3/2026 4/6/2026 Children's Day and Tomb Sweeping Day
5/1/2026 5/1/2026 Labor Day
5/27/2026 5/27/2026
6/19/2026 6/19/2026 Dragon Boat Festival
9/25/2026 9/25/2026 Mid-Autumn Festivali
9/28/2026 9/28/2026
10/9/2026 10/9/2026 National Day
10/26/2026 10/26/2026
10/29/2026 10/29/2026 National Day of the Republic of Türkiye
12/25/2026 12/25/2026 Constitution Day