ANKARA - Interior Minister Abdulkadir Aksu said on Tuesday that 23,208 foreigners who resided illegally in Turkey or who attempted to enter or leave the country illegally had been captured in 2003.
Speaking to Turkey Bulletin periodical, Aksu said that Turkey faced with illegal migration as it was used to as a transit country from Southern and Eastern Asian countries to European countries and Turkey was a target for citizens of East Block countries to work illegally in the country.
Aksu said that Turkey was determined to prevent illegal migration and deport foreigners who resided in Turkey illegally.
He noted that the number of foreigners who were captured as they resided illegally in Turkey or while they were attempting to enter or leave the country illegally was 11,362 in 1995, and this figure increased to 18,804 in 1996 and 28,439 in 1997. Aksu added that this figure increased to 29,426 in 1998; 47,529 in 1999 and 94,514 in 2000.
Aksu added, ''92,365 foreigners were captured in 2001; 82,825 foreigners were captured in 2002 and 23,208 foreigners were caught in 2003. A total of 428,472 foreigners have been captured so far.''
(EÖ-AÖ) 16.09.2003