On the occasion of the Martyrs' Day, a commemoration ceremony was held in the Martyrs' Cemetery of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey to commemorate the assassinated Turkish diplomats/officials, other public servants and their families serving in Turkish missions abroad.

Assassinated Turkish Diplomats and Citizens

Recalling that Turkey has 58 martyrs' cemetery in 26 countries from South Korea to Yemen, from Egypt to Azerbaijan, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu pointed out that the nations which want to live with honor and dignity should make sacrifices.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said “Most particularly the diplomats who represents this nation all around the world and the officials of all institutions working to this end are always ready for huge sacrifices. I’m always honored to be a part of and head of this community and to work with this community which is always ready for sacrifice.”

Recalling that 40 Turkish diplomats lost their lives in terrorist attacks throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said “Considering the number of personnel of those years, this figure corresponds to the 4% of Turkish diplomatic staff, which is an extraordinary percentage in diplomatic history.”

Stating that the Turkish Foreign Ministry is a close-knit family, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu said that the Foreign Ministry will continue to proceed on its way without being deterred by any attack or threat.

Furthermore, on the occasion of Martyr’s Day, officials from Foreign Ministry’s İstanbul Representation visited the tombs of former Foreign Minister Fatin Rüştü Zorlu and the first diplomatic martyr, Erşed Bey.