Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

During the visit Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that many citizens of Crimea Tatar origin are living in Turkey and that there is a deeply rooted friendship stemming from the cultural and historical ties to the region. Expressing his gratification regarding the visit, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Crimea has always been important for Turks throughout history.

Ideas were exchanged during Kırımoğlu’s courtesy visit regarding the proliferation of cooperation with the Crimea Turks. It was stated that investing of Turkish businessmen in Crimea was essential and that more effort must be made to develop cooperation opportunities.

Briefing the TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu on the latest state of Crimean Turks, Crimea Tatar Council President Kırımoğlu talked about the problems and developments in Crimea. Expressing significant shortcomings in education, Kırımoğlu stated that in education opportunities must be strengthened order to preserve their language and identities. He requested support from TOBB – ETU University for the youth living in Crimea to further their education.

- Who is Mustafa Abdülcemil Kırımoğlu?

Mustafa Abdülcemil Kırımoğlu was born in 1943 in the village of Ayserez near Sudak of Kırım. He was exiled with his family in 1944 during the German invasion when Stalin exiled the Crimea Tatars. His petition to study in the Tashkent University was rejected for “being a member of a people who betrayed the Soviet state”.
He was exiled, incarcerated and sent to work camps many times during his life of exile in Uzbekistan for his human rights activities. In 1991, Gorbachev permitted the Crimean Tatars to return to their homeland. He was granted the surname “Kırımoğlu” by the Crimean Tatar legislative body, the Crimean Tatar Council. Mustafa Abdülcemil Kırımoğlu was granted the United Nations Refugee High Commissariat Nansen Refugee Award in 1998 for his contributions to the Crimea Tatars’ peaceful struggle.
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