Diplomat Dursun Aksoy, who was martyred by the terrorist organization ASALA on July 14, 1983, while he was serving as administrative attaché at Türkiye's Embassy in Brussels, was commemorated on the 43rd anniversary of his martyrdom.
A ceremony was held for Martyr Aksoy in front of his house on Franklin Roosevelt Boulevard, at 10.10, the time of his death.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Musa Kulaklıkaya, Türkiye's Ambassador to Brussels Barış Tantekin, Türkiye's Permanent Representative to NATO Ambassador Basat Öztürk, Türkiye's Permanent Representative to the European Union (EU) Ambassador Yaprak Balkan, Head of the Turkish Military Representation Delegation Lieutenant General Kemal Turan, Türkiye's Consul General in Brussels Onur Sevim, the martyr diplomat's wife, daughters, son-in-law and grandchild, as well as representatives of the Turkish community in Belgium.
As part of the ceremony, a wreath was laid in memory of martyr Aksoy at the spot where he was martyred and a moment of silence was observed.
"Turkish diplomats continue to serve with a spirit of dedication wherever they are in the world."
In his speech here, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Kulaklıkaya reminded that they had many colleagues martyred in different geographies of the world, including the very recent past.
Kulaklıkaya said, "While we are introducing this profession to our friends who are new to the profession, we are trying to make them remember what this profession means by reminding them that it is a profession of dedication and that there is martyrdom at the end of this dedication, and the stories we have heard today." he said.
Stating that today Türkiye has become a country that contributes both as a playmaker in diplomacy and as a mediator in conflicts in various parts of the world, Kulaklıkaya said, "It would not be an exaggeration to say that we have achieved this success thanks to our martyrs." he said.
Kulaklıkaya pointed out that it was clear why Türkiye was targeted in the past, when it was unclear who terrorism would target, and said that today, Türkiye faces similar threats such as economic threats and political siege attempts.
Deputy Minister Kulaklıkaya said, "However, wherever the Turkish diplomat is in the world, under whatever conditions and under whatever threat he is under, he continues to serve with a spirit of dedication, without forgetting his belonging, the nation and state he is a member of. He contributes to both his nation, humanity and world peace." he said.
Türkiye's Ambassador to Brussels, Tantekin, said: "43 years ago, on Thursday, July 14, 1983, at this exact hour, it was the third day of Eid al-Fitr when he left his house to go to our Embassy. Dursun Aksoy was martyred in front of his house after getting into his car. Another vile and cowardly murder in the heart of Europe, which everyone knew could happen but remained silent for a 20-year dark period and did not want to prevent it. It was processed in Brussels." he said.
Pointing out that justice was not served in this murder, just like his other colleagues and family members who were martyred in front of everyone, Tantekin reminded that the suspect of the assassination was actually found and sent to prison, but was released without trial.
Tantekin said, "For 43 years, those who produced uncommitted crimes in the past in order to ease their own consciences could not find the murderers of a murder that was committed in front of their eyes during the day. For some reason, they could not hold accountable for this murder before justice. Just as they could not hold accountable for this murder, it did not occur to them to put a small commemorative plaque on the street where the murder was committed. We keep the name of our martyr diplomat alive in the meeting hall of our embassy. We will renew our efforts to have a monument or at least a plaque in this ceremony area in the coming years." We will start it." he said.
Emphasizing that they did not gather hostility from the past and did not build their identity on "hostility" and "hatred" towards others, Tantekin stated that there was hostility and hatred behind the murders committed by ASALA and other Armenian terrorist organizations.
Tantekin said, "Today, the owners of the same hostility and hatred, or their intermediaries, do not want us to build peace, stability and tranquility together in our region. We have two paths before us. We hope that the necessary lessons will be learned from the pain inflicted by those who preferred hostility and hatred in the past. Ümit was the name of Dursun Aksoy's son, who was four years old when he was martyred. As always, we will preserve our hope and continue to walk on the path of peace, friendship and stability, even if it is more bumpy." he said.
Martyr Aksoy's daughter Çiğdem Ceyhan said, "It is a great honor for us to be here after 43 years. It really means a lot to be hosted in this way. We will never forget the loyalty you have shown. It is also an indescribable feeling to be here. On this occasion, I wish God's mercy to all our martyrs, especially my father. May their souls rest in peace. On behalf of my family and myself, I would also like to thank you for hosting us in this way." he said.
Dursun Aksoy was martyred at the scene with bullet wounds in his head and chest as a result of the fire opened by an ASALA member activist as he got into his car to go to work on the morning of July 14, 1983.
The heinous attack made headlines in the Belgian press of the period and had wide repercussions.