*News & Images: Anadolu Agency (AA)
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It has been 97 years since the Republic of Turkey was founded in 1923 with the motto "Sovereignty rests unconditionally with the nation." Accordingly, politicians from both the government and the opposition have shared messages to mark the October 29 Republic Day.
As part of official celebrations, President and ruling AKP Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited the Monumental Tomb of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the first founder and the first President of the Republic, in the capital city of Ankara. As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Erdoğan wrote in the memorial book at the Monumental Tomb and briefly said:
"With the courage from our glorious past full of victories, we will continue to walk towards our common future in unity, solidarity and fraternity.
"The attempts confronting our country from within and abroad, strengthens our tenacity to struggle and furthe increases our determination."
Apart from President Erdoğan, Parliamentary Speaker Mustafa Şentop, Vice President Fuat Oktay, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli, İYİ Party Chair Meral Akşener, ministers and Chief of General Staff Yaşar Güler as well as other senior military personnel and members of the high judicial bodies were also present in the official ceremony.
Erdoğan: We will start a brand new era
Shared on the official website of the Presidency of Turkey yesterday, the statement of President and ruling AKP Chair Erdoğan also read:
"On the 97th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey, I remember with respect Ghazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic, and all the heroes of the War of Independence.
"I remember with grace and gratitude all our heroes, who were granted the honor of becoming martyr or veteran in the past thousand years to protect our homeland, from the Victory of Manzikert to the anti-terror operations which we conduct today on numerous fronts.
"As we get ready to enthusiastically celebrate the 100th anniversary of our Republic, we move forward on our path with the determination to reach our goals for 2023. Turkey has conducted its struggle for democracy by overcoming numerous obstacles from the one-party dictate to coups, from the abuses of tutelage to the fight against terror.
"The difficulties we were faced with during this long and difficult process have not been able to steer our nation away from its cause of independence and future. On the contrary, they reinforced our nation's resolve.
"Just like the founding will of the Republic saved our homeland from occupation by foiling the plans of the great powers, we are determined to reach our goals in the same manner.
"Today, we are much more powerful, much more astute and much more confident in all senses than we were 20 years ago. When we achieve our country's goals for 2023, we will start a brand new era in our region and the world. As the echoes of our call that 'the world is bigger than 5' grow larger, we move forward towards the peaceful and prosperous future, of which we dream with our friends, with greater hopes."
Kılıçdaroğlu: Republic to be crowned with democracy
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the Chair of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), which was also founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, has also shared a message to celebrate the Republic Day.
"Even though our country is in an economic and political turmoil, we will ensure that the 'democratic, seculary and social state of law', will prevail," Kılıçdaroğlu has underlined in his statement, adding, "Because we, led by the principles of Atatürk, have the power, self-confidence and accumulation to achieve this. We will quench the thirst for justice in our country with a wide consensus, as was done during the establishment of our Republic."
Main opposition leader has further underlined that "again, with a wide consensus, the Republic of Turkey will be crowned with democracy."
Commemorating the ones who lost their lives in the Independence War and in counterterrorism operations thus far, Kılıçdaroğlu has also expressed his respect for the healthcare workers who have lost their lives in Turkey while combatting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Vice President Fuat Oktay and Parliamentary Spokesperson Mustafa Şentop have also shared messages to mark the Republic Day.
Celebration in Cappadocia
To celebrate the 97th anniversary of the Republic, hot air baloons with flags of Turkey were flown in the Cappadocia region in Nevşehir at dawn. (EMK/SD)
