YTB President Turus: 'Homeland Road' Gathering in Serbia

Abdulhadi Turus, President of the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB), met with citizens traveling to Turkey in Niš, Serbia, as part of the "Memleket Yolu" (Homeland Road) gathering.

President Turus met with citizens traveling to Turkey from various European countries in Niš.

Turus stated that 8 million Turkish citizens live abroad. He noted that 5.5 million of these citizens reside on the European continent. He said that every summer, Turkish citizens in Europe travel to Turkey to meet with their families.

Turus stated that they accompany citizens on this "journey back home." He expressed that their aim is to ensure they reach their homeland safely and soundly. He explained that Turkish coffee is offered from the "Memleket Yolu" vehicle along the 3-4 thousand kilometer highway used by approximately 2 million Turkish citizens in the summer.

Turus said, "As a state, we want our citizens to feel that we are with them." He added, "We wanted to meet with those who come here to rest and then continue their journey, to listen to what they have experienced and their stories from this journey."

Turus noted that YTB has organized this event every year since 2018.

Turus emphasized that Turks abroad have been using this route for approximately 65 years to reunite with their families. He continued, "We want to be with them at every moment. As a strong state, we want them to know that Turkey is behind them."