In connection with the information on abduction of Veysel Akcay, a Turkish national and current Director of the Mongolia-Turkish Joint school, by anonymous people in the morning of 27 July 2018, following the directives given by the Foreign Minister D.Tsogtbaatar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia has taken immediate measures and working with local authorities.

The Deputy Foreign Minister B.Batsetseg met a diplomat from the Turkish Embassy in Ulaanbaatar and stated that if the news of abduction is true then it is an unacceptable act of violation of Mongolia’s sovereignty and independence and Mongolia will strongly object it. The Turkish diplomat reaffirmed that the Republic of Turkey respects the independence and sovereignty of Mongolia, and any illegal activities, including the abduction of persons, have not been conducted on the territory of Mongolia, and conveyed the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu’s request to have a phone call with Foreign Minister D.Tsogtbaatar on this matter. Foreign Minister D.Tsogtbaatar expressed readiness to talk on this matter.

During a phone call with the Deputy Foreign Minister B.Batsetseg, Turkish Ambassador Ahmet Yazal, who is currently working in the countryside, has also reaffirmed aforementioned position.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested the relevant authorities to hold a Turkish charter flight aircraft, currently landed at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport, until the matter is resolved. In addition, a working group led by the Deputy Foreign Minister B.Batsetseg has been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the directive given by the Foreign Minister D.Tsogtbaatar.