ISTANBUL
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the Battle of Canakkale was not a usual war, but one that opened new horizons for world peace by bringing humanitarian values to the 20th century.
"The Canakkale Battle differs from other wars in its featuring of humanitarian values beyond the military and political logic of war," he said Thursday at an awards ceremony for an essay contest themed "The Spirit of Canakkale and the Youth."
His remarks followed Wednesday's commemoration ceremony for the 100th anniversary of Canakkale Naval Victory Day -- the battle which marked a turnaround in favor of the Turks against the Allied Forces during World War I.
Erdogan said that Turkish soldiers -- who are called "Mehmetcik" (means "little Mehmet") as named after Prophet Muhammad -- did not deem the soldiers at the opposing side only as enemies, but as human beings and souls who had their own hopes, loves, dreams and families.
"The respect that arose between the soldiers of the two battling sides constituted the humanitarian pattern of friendship and cooperation that Turkey established later on with the countries it fought against that day," he said.
The president emphasized that the "International Peace Summit," which Turkey will hold in Istanbul on April 23-24 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Gelibolu Land Victory, will serve as a message of peace to the world.
"The sons of nations who faced off against each other as opposing sides of the war 100 years ago will gather under the same roof to convey the message of peace and brotherhood to the whole world," he added.
The concept of "brotherhood" was the very thing which Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu highlighted during his speech at the March 18 commemorations in the northwestern province of Canakkale, which he described as a "holy legacy" that was bequested from their ancestors who died in the war, and as a main principle of Turkey's future.
Erdogan noted that during the commemorations in April, Turkey will declare once again to the world that its aim is to establish an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, not only in the homeland, but also in its wider region and all across the world.
He also depicted Canakkale as the scene of the most remarkable example of unity and solidarity.
"Canakkale reminded us of our ancient brotherhood and thus made us into one nation, one flag, one homeland and one state," he said.
The president further called upon the Turkish youth to protect and claim the legacy of brotherhood, unity and solidarity, all of which were inherited from the martyrs of Canakkale.
"I believe you will claim the historical legacy on your shoulders at the cost of your lives,” he said, addressing a hall of high school students. “As long as you preserve their legacy properly, our martyrs will sleep in peace in their graves. It is a duty for us all to preserve the spirit of Canakkale."
The Battle of Canakkale is regarded as a heroic war of defense by Turks, but a catastrophe for Australians and New Zealanders -- grouped in the famous "Anzac" units -- who were fighting on behalf of Britain.
The land war took place between April 25, 1915, and Jan. 9, 1916. Britain and France wanted to secure the strategic region for their ally, Russia, as the peninsula provides a sea route to what was then the Russian Empire.
