Interior Minister Yerlikaya's statement on the number of foreigners in Turkey: 'A policy that prioritizes the human'

Yerlikaya stated, "As of today, in addition to 1 million 23 thousand foreigners with residence permits, we are hosting 3 million 85 thousand Syrians under temporary protection and 205 thousand foreigners with international protection status."

In a press statement following the conference, Minister Yerlikaya noted that Turkey is one of the countries most affected by regional and global migration movements due to its geographical location and socio-economic stability.

Expressing that they have put forward a migration management model that can serve as an example to the world under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the face of this reality, Yerlikaya continued his words as follows:

"In line with our civilizational values, we follow a holistic policy that prioritizes the human but never compromises on public order and our security. Our country conducts its migration management within the framework of our Constitution, the international conventions to which we are a party, and our national legislation, based on our national interests, and in accordance with our civilizational values and human rights. As of today, in addition to 1 million 23 thousand foreigners with residence permits, we are hosting 3 million 85 thousand Syrians under temporary protection and 205 thousand foreigners with international protection status."

Yerlikaya said that despite facing constant migration pressure stemming from instability in the region, the irregular migration route has changed as a result of their fight against irregular migration, and Turkey is no longer a "transit country for irregular migration."

"WE DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY ROOM"

Explaining that they owe this success to their 5-pillar irregular migration strategy, which starts in the source country and ends in the source country, and which they implement in accordance with human rights and international law, Yerlikaya spoke as follows:

"We will continue to maintain this successful strategy, which is based on the principles of solving the problem at the source country, effective border security measures, effective detection and apprehension within the country, combating irregular labor migration, and a fast-functioning deportation mechanism. Within the framework of our policy of combating crime and criminals, we absolutely do not give any room to migrant smuggling organizers who exploit people's hopes."

Pointing out that migration is not a situation that a country or region can manage alone and that migration management is a phenomenon that requires partnership and cooperation, Minister Yerlikaya noted the following:

"Our President constantly brings to the agenda in international platforms that the root causes of migration should be addressed, the problems forcing people to migrate should be solved, and all states should cooperate and share the burden and responsibility. He makes an intense effort to mobilize international organizations in this direction. The Budapest Process, which we co-chair with our friendly and brotherly country Hungary, has been one of the longest-running and most comprehensive migration platforms in this regard.

Today, in light of the new challenges encountered and new experiences gained since the last Ministerial Conference, we have adopted the Ministerial Declaration and Call for Action at the 7th Ministerial Conference. In these documents, we have taken care not to leave any area of migration behind. In the fight against irregular migration and migrant smuggling, we have prioritized the establishment of effective, sustainable, and rights-based border management systems in accordance with international human rights obligations and the strengthening of cooperation in this field. We have strongly underlined the continuation of efforts to combat racism, hate speech, xenophobia, and discrimination. I would like to thank the Hungarian Minister of Interior, Mr. Pinter, who hosted us today, once again. I wish the 7th Ministerial Conference of the Budapest Process to be beneficial."