Could the Tatarstan independence movement work from Türkiye?

Will the independence movement of Tatarstan operate from Turkey?

The Prime Minister of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile, Rafis Kashapov, reported that his brother, the deputy prime minister of the government in exile, Nafis Kashapov, received an offer to conduct public activities from Turkey. Kashapov's remarks again raised the question of whether Turkey could soon become a more prominent center of international activity of the Tatar independence movement.

According to Rafis Kashapov, Nafis Kashapov was offered residence and financial support to carry out public activities in Turkey in cooperation with organizations dealing with issues of the Turkish world. At the same time, the parties expect security guarantees from the Turkish authorities, and only with the fulfilment of this condition can work begin.

The offer came in about two weeks ago .

According to Rafis Kashapov, about two weeks ago, Nafis Kashapov received an offer from Turkey to organize public activities together with local organizations of the Turkish world. As part of the offer, he was also promised housing and financial support.

After this statement, as noted by Kashapov, they received numerous words of support from both the Tatar diaspora in Turkey and the Turkish public. According to him, in Turkey they have for many years a circle of about 200 people, which includes activists of the Tatar national movement, entrepreneurs, athletes, cultural figures, journalists and religious figures.

Many years of ties with Turkey

Rafis Kashapov stressed that their relations with Turkey have a long history. He said that for many years he collaborated with a well-known figure in the Turkish world, a scientist and writer, Turan Yazgan.

According to Kashapov, the founder and chairman of the Foundation for the Study of the Turkish World, Turan Yazgan, played an important role in the implementation of educational, cultural and artistic projects in the Turkish world. With his support, numerous Turkish lyceums were opened in Turkic-speaking countries and in Russia. The Kashapov brothers, they claim, also facilitated the opening of Turkish lyceums in Russia, sending requests from various regions to Yadzhan.

Rafis Kashapov called that period "a golden time for the Turkic peoples", but said that after Vladimir Putin came to power, Turkish educational institutions in Russia were closed. He cited the Russian authorities' unwillingness to allow the spread of pan-Turkism as the reason.

In addition, Kashapov noted that Turan Yazgan contributed to the fact that the problems of the Turkic peoples living in Russia became known to the Turkish society. According to him, many representatives of the Tatar and other Turkic peoples came to Turkey, met with politicians, participated in television programs and gave interviews to the media.

Barish Mancho's concert in the Naberezhnye Chelny

One of the most striking examples of cultural ties between Turkey and Tatarstan is the performance of the Turkish singer Barish Mancho.

According to him, at one time they invited Boris Mancho to Beach Chelns. The concert, which took place in the concert hall named after Sarah Sadikova, took place with a full attendance - there were no vacancies. Kashapov called this event "a great holiday for the Turkic peoples of Tatarstan".

After the concert, Barish Mancho, his musical team and guests from Turkey visited the Kashapov family home, where a lengthy conversation took place about issues affecting the entire Turkish world.

Security guarantees are expected

Rafis Kashapov emphasized that the issue of Nafis Kashapov's activities in Turkey has not yet been finally resolved. According to him, if the Turkish authorities provide the necessary security guarantees, Nafis Kashapov will be able to conduct public activities in Turkey together with the organizations of the Turkish world.

"Turkish unity or economic interests?"

In his statement, Kashapov also touched on the topic of economic relations between Turkey and Russia.

Recalling that trade between the two countries amounts to billions of dollars, he pointed to the influence of economic interests on political decisions and asked the question:

"What's more important, Turkish unity or money?"

At the same time, Kashapov noted that security issues remain extremely relevant. He recalled the assassination in Istanbul of the founder of the Telegram and YouTube projects "Morning of Dagestan" Abakar Abakarov. According to him, such incidents have already occurred in Turkey, so security is a top priority.

Will Turkey become the new center?

Rafis Kashapov's remarks again sparked discussion about whether Turkey could become one of the key centers of international activity of the Government of Independent Tatarstan in Exile. However, the official decision to move Nafis Kashapov to Turkey and start his work in the country has not yet been announced.

Origin of the article in Turkish: This is from habernida.com.