Interior Minister Meets Akin, Tugay and Representatives of Expatriates in Turkiye

On Monday, Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski met with the Mayors of two cities in Turkiye, Turgutlu’s Cetin Akin and Karsiyaka’s Cemil Tugay, as well as with representatives of expatriates from North Macedonia.

The topics concerned citizens of North Macedonia descent that have lived in Karsiyaka and Turgutlu for decades, as well as the opportunities to deepen cooperation in the spirit of the traditionally good friendly relations with turkey. The guests from Turkiye expressed gratitude for Spasovski’s visit to Izmir last year, when he met expatriates living there too.

The Karsiyaka Mayor said local authorities would create even more conditions to increase the bridges of friendship and maintain cultural tradition. “Our wish is for a consular mission to be formed in Izmir,” the Mayor noted. Spasovski said that in conversation with the Foreign Ministry, a way would be found for expatriates in that area to have a place they can contact over anything. The Turgutlu Mayor said 30% of the total population in that area were North Macedonia expatriates, adding that everything was done to enable children to study and attend cultural-art programme from their country of origin.

The representatives of the associations of expatriates asked for a way to obtain citizenship. In response, the Minister said everyone meeting the conditions would get such a document. Spasovski also thanked the two Mayors for their support for expatriates of North Macedonia in Turkey.