ISTANBUL
A host of Turkish leaders extended hearty congratulations to Anadolu Agency, which marks its 97th anniversary Thursday.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent a congratulatory message to Anadolu Agency Chairman and Director General Senol Kazanci.
"Today, Anadolu Agency is not only our country's news agency but also one of the world's leading news agencies," Erdogan said in his message.
He went on to say that Anadolu Agency is also serving as an educational institution in the field of journalism.
"I believe wholeheartedly that our national agency's success will continue increasingly and continue to be the voice of our country. I congratulate all employees of the Anadolu Agency on the occasion of its anniversary," Erdogan said.
Also sending congratulations for the 97th anniversary, Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes emphasized that Anadolu Agency is one of the oldest and most important institutions of the Turkish Republic.
"Anadolu Agency is an important institution that informs our people and follows issues objectively," Turkes added.
Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, for his part, said that over the years Anadolu Agency has assumed greater responsibilities.
Cavusoglu praised Anadolu Agency’s “critical efforts to increase sensitivity in humanitarian matters."
"The treacherous July 15 coup attempt and its defeat in Turkey was communicated to the whole world by Anadolu Agency," he said.
"The Foreign Ministry sees both support and benefit from Anadolu Agency," he added.
Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag also sent a congratulatory message to Kazanci saying, "Anadolu Agency, which has earned the reputation, ‘If Anadolu Agency wrote, it must be true’ based on its honesty and fairness, principles and ethics, deserves much praise."
"Moving with determination to become an influential agency in the world, Anadolu has achieved significant reporting success in both fast-paced and reliable journalism and by being the voice of the victims and oppressed in our region." he added.
For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak recalled how Anadolu Agency was established by Turkey’s founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1920.
"Over these 97 years, Anadolu Agency has become a truly modern agency. It has been the voice of Turkey all over the world and carried the voice of the world back to Turkey," he said.
Kaynak also praised Anadolu Agency’s multilingual journalism platforms.
Development Minister Lutfi Elvan also congratulated the agency on its 97th anniversary
"Anadolu Agency will become one of the world’s leading press agencies, and has already taken important steps in this direction. In the coming days, all of us will see together the influential work of Anadolu Agency," he said.
Environment and Urbanization Minister Mehmet Ozhaseki released a statement congratulating Anadolu Agency, saying, “Anadolu Agency played an important role in the building of pluralistic and participatory democracy and the institutionalization of freedom of thought and conscience."
"I congratulate the 97th anniversary of Anadolu, which has ensured that our nation has access to accurate and impartial information. I would also like to congratulate the employees of the agency who have fulfilled their duties in a self-sacrificing manner," he added.
"Anadolu Agency is the voice of the Turkish people reaching the whole world," Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz told a referendum campaign rally in the southern city of Gaziantep.
Yilmaz stated that Anadolu Agency has earned the trust of the Turkish nation through its impartial reporting, adding, "I hope that Anadolu Agency continues to succeed in this mission."
Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Eroglu said in a statement, "Anadolu Agency, which had the pride to tell the truth of our struggle in the difficult days of our War of Independence, has always been at the forefront of the Turkish press with its independent, unbiased news coverage."
Deputy Parliament Speaker Ahmet Aydin released a statement congratulating Anadolu Agency on its 97th anniversary, saying that not only in Turkey but also in many countries Anadolu Agency informs people "in a modern way."
Founded on April 6, 1920, weeks before the Turkish Grand National Assembly convened for the first time, Anadolu Agency helped announce the first legislation passed by the assembly, which established the Republic of Turkey.
Since then, it has come a long way in establishing its reputation as a professional, reliable, and accurate news source.
Anadolu Agency currently publishes news stories in Turkish, English, Arabic, French, Kurdish, Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Russian, Albanian, Persian and Macedonian.
As a global news agency, AA is among the ten most influential in the world, providing its subscribers in 45 countries thousands of news stories, photos, videos, infographics and other information-based content through its global network of correspondents and photojournalists in 86 countries.
