ANKARA

Turkish president on Sunday marked Mother’s Day, citing the proverb: “Paradise lies at the feet of the mothers.” 

Recep Tayyip Erdogan was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Gayrettepe-Kagithane-Istanbul Airport Metro Project through a videoconference.

Erdogan also issued a message marking the day, saying mothers are a safe harbor and compassion nest for all of us.

In the message, he hailed mothers’ role in establishing peace in society.

The president said mothers are their children’s strength and first teacher.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to meet our mothers' needs and expectations for being happy and peaceful, and to improve their living conditions,” he added.

First Lady Emine Erdogan also marked the day. “A mother is the longest sentence that describes the boundlessness of a heart,” she said on Twitter. 

Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay and Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop also celebrated Mother’s Day.