The Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB) continued its work throughout the month of Ramadan and organized iftar, panel and brotherhood meetings in many cities of Europe, especially the Balkans. YTB ​​officials came together with Turks within the scope of the programs and experienced the spirit of unity and solidarity of Ramadan with the diaspora. YTB ​​executives also met with Bayırbucak Turkmens in Syria at an iftar program the other day.

SOCIAL CULTURAL ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED

Turks, representatives of non-governmental organizations, academics and young people came together at the same table in iftar programs held in many European cities since the beginning of Ramadan. While the spiritual atmosphere of Ramadan was shared in the programs, social and cultural issues faced by Turks living abroad were also discussed.

TIES WITH THE TURKISH DIASPORA ARE GETTING STRONGER

In the first 15 days of Ramadan, YTB organized a series of iftar, meeting and sahur programs in Europe and the Middle East, starting from the Balkans. The event was held in a total of 7 cities in Macedonia, Belgium, Germany, Austria and Syria. While Türkiye’s support to its citizens abroad and diaspora policies were discussed in the programs, the problems of citizens living abroad were also brought to the agenda. It was stated that the main purpose of the programs is to strengthen the ties of Turkish citizens living abroad with Türkiye. While different segments of the Turkish society come together through the programs, it is also aimed to strengthen the cultural ties between the new generation of expats and Türkiye.

FROM EUROPE TO THE BALKANS AND THE MIDDLE EAST

It is planned to continue meetings with Turkish citizens and cognate communities in a wide area from Europe to the Balkans, from the Middle East to different geographies, with iftar and sahur programs. Thus, it is aimed to keep the spirit of unity, solidarity and solidarity of Ramadan alive among Turks living all over the world.

Iftar with SYRIAN TURKMENS

Following the iftar and sahur events organized by YTB in the Balkans and Europe, an iftar program was organized for 500 people in Burç İslam town in the Bayırbucak region of Syria, with the participation of Turkmens, families of martyrs, Turkish graduates, people in need and local people.

In the statement made on the DMM’s virtual media account, “The allegations made in some social media accounts that the appointments of the Head of the Department of Emergency Situations and Defense Planning to the ministries are preparations for a war, citing regional developments, do not reflect the truth. These positions, which were created and appointed in the central organizations of the ministries, were strengthened by the Presidential Decree dated October 16, 2025, strengthening the coordination between public institutions in the processes related to preparations for disasters and emergencies, civil defense activities and mobilization.” “This regulation is a part of the institutional structuring aimed at increasing the crisis management capacity in public administration. Therefore, the appointments in question do not indicate any war preparations, as claimed, but are merely the implementation of a pre-planned institutional arrangement aimed at strengthening inter-institutional coordination in the fields of disaster, emergency and civil defense. The public is kindly requested not to rely on manipulative and unrealistic content aimed at creating fear and panic.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had a telephone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During the meeting, conflicts in the region were evaluated. President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye is following the process that started with attacks against Iran, and that if the interventions are prolonged, they could cause great harm to regional and global stability.

In the statement made by the Directorate of Communications regarding the meeting, the following statements were made:

Our President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, had a telephone conversation with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer. Leaders discussed bilateral relations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom, the conflict process in our region, and regional and global issues. Our President stated that the will to develop Türkiye-United Kingdom cooperation in every field, especially in the defense industry, is strong and that they will continue to take steps to take this further. During the meeting, President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye is following the process that started with the attacks against Iran, that if the interventions are prolonged, they may cause great harm to regional and global stability, that there is still work to be done to build the basis for dialogue, and that our peace-oriented efforts continue.

Within the scope of the Kilis program, Minister Uraloğlu first visited Kilis Governorship and received information from Governor Ömer Kalaylı about the work carried out in the city. Later, Uraloğlu visited a family and participated in the “Conversation with Young People” program organized by the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports. After the program, Musabeyli attended the opening ceremony of Ayrım-Kilis Road.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Uraloğlu stated that they have made great investments in highway infrastructure in the last 24 years and that they have equipped all parts of Türkiye with high standard roads. Stating that highways play an important role in the development of industry, agriculture and tourism, Uraloğlu noted that the divided road network, which was 6 thousand 101 kilometers in 2002, has reached 30 thousand 49 kilometers today.

Minister Uraloğlu reminded that in the past, only 6 provinces were connected to each other by divided roads, and stated that today 77 provinces are connected to each other by safe and comfortable roads. Stating that approximately 9.3 billion lira has been invested in the transportation and communication infrastructure of Kilis in the last 24 years, Uraloğlu said that the length of the divided road in the city was increased from 2 kilometers to 58 kilometers. In addition, Uraloğlu stated that there had never been a bituminous hot mixture paved road in Kilis before, and that by building a 69-kilometer-long road of this standard, citizens had safer and more comfortable transportation.

Stating that the route was upgraded to divided road standard with the opening of the 17.3 kilometer long Musabeyli Ayrım-Kilis Road, Uraloğlu said that the Afrin Bridge and different level intersections were also built within the scope of the project. Stating that with the completion of the project, transportation in the region has accelerated and travel time has decreased to 9 minutes, Uraloğlu noted that 121 million lira will be saved annually and carbon emissions will also decrease significantly.

In his speech, Minister Uraloğlu also touched upon the Israel-Iran war and emphasized that Türkiye is in favor of peace. Referring to the missile fragment that fell in Hatay’s Dörtyol district, Uraloğlu wished the people of the region to get well soon and said: “While we stand tall against such possible attacks and have taken all kinds of precautions, I emphasize once again that peace, moderation and dialogue are always our priority. We will continue to work for permanent peace and stability in our region.” After the speeches, Minister Uraloğlu and the accompanying delegation cut the opening ribbon of the Musabeyli Ayrım-Kilis Road and opened the road into service.

The recruitment of a large number of personnel in a short period of time in the CHP Edirne Municipality led to harsh discussions in the municipal council. At the meeting, there was a war of words between Mayor Filiz Gencan and AK Party Council Member Celal Demir. Mayor Gencan stated that plumbing installations in houses are continuing within the scope of infrastructure works in the Kaleiçi region, and that experienced personnel have been included in the process to carry out the work quickly and healthily. AK Party Council Member Demir criticized the hiring of a large number of personnel in a short time. Demir said, “Was it really necessary to recruit 220 people urgently? A total of 293 people were recruited. However, only 60-70 of them were recruited through advertisements.” Claiming that the principles of merit and transparency were not observed in recruitment, Demir said, “The daughter-in-law of the deputy mayor, the son of the Kırklareli district chairman, the wife of the central district chairman, the disciplinary board member, the nephew of the Tekirdağ CHP deputy, the elder brothers, sisters and wives of the brothers of the municipal council members were recruited. The son of the central district chairman and the wife of the provincial deputy chairman were also included in the list.”

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek explained the steps they will take to prevent gangs from turning children into crime machines. Gürlek announced that they will ensure that aggravated life imprisonment is given for crimes such as murder, even if they are children. Gürlek, who met with Ankara representatives of media organizations at Ankara Judge’s House for iftar, briefly gave the following messages:

CHILDREN DRIVEN INTO CRIME: We will ensure that children receive aggravated life imprisonment if necessary for murder or other crimes.

FAMILIES’ RESPONSIBILITY: We cannot hold the family responsible for the crime committed by the child. Families need to protect and supervise their children.

AMATEM FORMULA FOR DRUGS: We plan to start the Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment and Training Center (AMATEM) process of those who are imprisoned for drug crimes 6 months before their release. After going out, the AMATEM process starts but does not go away. He is released and starts looking for drugs again.

PUNISHMENT FOR YOUTUBERS: Social media accounts that incite children to violence, sexlessness or perverted movements; We also work on YouTubers and influencers.

WEAPONS SHOULD BE LAY UP FIRST: The indispensable part of the terror-free Türkiye process is the complete disarmament of the organization.

NO PERSON-SPECIFIC ARRANGEMENT: Personal arrangements cannot be made. Temporary provisions will probably be included in the law to be enacted.

THERE IS A NEED FOR A CONSTITUTION: Not only for the terror-free Türkiye process, but our country in general needs a new constitution.

STATUS APPRECIATION OF THE ASSEMBLY: (Status discussions for Öcalan) We do not follow that process. It is the discretion of the Parliament.

IMRALI VISITORS: We do not consider any regulation regarding the request of academics and journalists to go to Imrali.

NO CONDITIONAL RELEASE: We do not have conditional release provisions for terrorism crimes.

‘MY CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR IN THE IBB FILE’

I only did my duty as a public prosecutor. I have a clear conscience. There was a major investigation into corruption, fraud and bid rigging.

STATEMENTS OF THAT PERSON: I do not care about the statements of that person (Ekrem İmamoğlu) about me.

REASONABLE TIME: (Completion of the IMM case within a reasonable time) The trial is under the control of the court.

LAWYER REGULATION: We especially think that there should be limits on the meetings between convicts and lawyers.

USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA: (Statement by those in prison) He uses social media. Of course, normally he shouldn’t do it.

INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION: We do not intend to make arrangements for individual applications. Arguments like ‘super appeal court’ are meaningless.

DIVORCE CASES AND ALMOST: We want to provide the opportunity to apply mediation provisions in contested divorce cases. First, a divorce decision will be made.