In a telephone interview on 25 November 1994, a representative of the consulate of Turkey in Ottawa provided the following information. An ethnic Turk residing in Bulgaria does not have a claim to Turkish citizenship. The Turkish background has no bearing on the acquisition of Turkish citizenship, although an ethnic Turk residing in Bulgaria does have the right to apply for Turkish citizenship. Turkish ethnicity is relevant only when at least one parent is a Turkish citizen, in which case the child is granted Turkish citizenship irrespective of place of birth. The DIRB is currently unable to corroborate this information.

Please find attached a copy of the Law on Turkish Nationality of 1963. We have requested a copy of the current citizenship law of Turkey, which will be forwarded to the Regional Documentation Centres upon receipt.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Consulate of the Republic of Turkey, Ottawa. 25 November 1994. Telephone interview with representative.

Turkey. Law on Turkish Nationality. 11 February 1964. (DIRB citizenship file).