AUGUST 30 VICTORY DAY MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY

We rejoice the 99th anniversary of the Great Victory, one of the cornerstones of our glorious history extending over centuries.

I congratulate the August 30 Victory Day of our nation, of the Turkish Cypriots and of our citizens living in different countries of the world.

On behalf of myself and my nation, I would like to thank all my friends and brothers who did not leave us alone on this day of pride.

On this occasion, I commemorate the Commander in Chief of our War of Independence, the founder of our Republic, Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and the esteemed members of our Grand National Assembly and the heroic soldiers of our army.

The Great Offensive, launched under the commandership of Ghazi Mustafa Kemal, resulted in a decisive victory in Dumlupınar, after 4 days of hand-to-hand combat.

With this glorious victory enshrined in world war history, the Turkish Nation demonstrated that they would never accept a yoke on their homeland soaked with martyrs’ blood.

August 30 is one of the most critical turning points in our history, as it paved the way for the foundation of our Republic, and as our nation wrecked imperialistic intentions which forecast it a life span.

Our nation, with this victory achieved despite all kinds of shortages and impossibility, once again demonstrated that these lands, which were made our home in Malazgirt in 1071, are our eternal homeland.

The spirit, belief and will which inspired the Great Victory are setting the path for our nation today, as they did 99 years ago.

The most important indications of this are the successes we have achieved in every field, from defence industry to economy, from foreign policy to energy, to the fight against subcontracted terrorist organizations which aim at the unity and integrity of our country.

Today, our country has become not only the hope for its 84 million citizens living within its borders, but also for its hundreds of millions of friends and brothers living in lands in our hearts, from the Balkans to Asia, from Africa to Europe.

With the help of Allah, the support of our friends whose hearts beat with us, and the sincere prayers of our noble nation, we will live up to these hopes.

Despite some ill intentioned people among us, we will continue to defend the rights of the oppressed against the oppressors, and to strive for peace, justice and freedom to prevail all over the world.

Under the guidance of the faith which surged in Dumlupınar 99 years ago, 84 million of us will walk together towards our bright future with unity, peace and brotherhood.

With these thoughts, I commemorate all the heroes of our War of Independence, especially Ghazi Mustafa Kemal, with gratitude.

I wish Allah's mercy upon our veterans and martyrs who died for our country, our azan, our flag and our independence.

Happy August 30 Victory Day to our nation and to all my brothers in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus!

RECEP TAYYİP ERDOĞAN

PRESIDENT