Hon. Jacob Marksons Oboth,
Hon. Oleru Huda,
Esteemed Generals,
Distinguished Defense Attaches,
Dear Guests,
Değerli vatandaşlarım,

Today, we have gathered here to celebrate the 101th anniversary of the Victory Day of Türkiye, a milestone in our history. I have the pleasure to welcome you all on this occasion.

The torch of independence which the Turkish nation ignited under the able leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in 1919 was crowned with victory on August 30th, 1922.

The dire conditions and deprivations of that time make this victory all the more precious and meaningful. This victory is indeed the most obvious proof of what a nation can venture and accomplish in order to save its independence and its dignity when confronted with the inevitable choice of ‘’either independence or extermination”.

The Victory of August 30 symbolizes Turkish nation’s will to the entire world to live independently on its homeland, and was a turning point in the Turkish War of Independence.

This victory paved the way for the liberation of the Turkish territories and the establishment of the Republic of Türkiye in 1923. Atatürk’s motto “PEACE AT HOME, PEACE IN THE WORLD” has served as a guiding beacon for successive Turkish governments, as they deployed every effort to build an environment of peace and stability around Türkiye and beyond.

Having its political and military consequences in history, this victory became a source of inspiration for many oppressed nations who fought similar wars. It is with this victory that the Turkish nation has demonstrated that colonialism is doomed to failure.

As the heirs of this brave, devoted and self-sacrificing founding generation, we will continue on our path, to realize the aspirations of them and our people.

With these thoughts in mind, today we remember once again with deep gratitude, our great leader Atatürk, his brothers in arms, all heroes and martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and homeland.

May God bless their souls and may they rest in peace.

Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,

With your permission, now I would like to share with my fellow citizens the message of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Turkish.