ANKARA
The celebrations marking the 91st anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic begun Wednesday with a ceremony at the Anitkabir mausoleum of founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in capital Ankara.
Headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the ceremony was attended by numerous state and military officials including Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Constitutional Court President Hasim Kilic, General Staff Chief General Necdet Ozel, as well as opposition party leaders.
Erdogan left a star-and-crescent wreath of red and white carnations on Ataturk's tomb, and he observed a moment of silence with other attendees before the playing of the Turkish national anthem.
"As a result of 91 years of a determined struggle, today, the Turkish Republic has gained a prestigious position, both in its region and in the world, with its economy, democratic standards and the value it attributes to human rights and freedoms," Erdogan wrote in Anitkabir Memorial Book.
Erdogan would have hosted his first October 29 reception of his presidency at the newly built Ankara Presidential Palace. But, he announced that he had cancelled the reception due to the mine accident in central Anatolia, where at least 18 miners remain trapped underground.
The palace at Ankara's Bestepe area will be the residence of the Turkish presidency, replacing the Cankaya Palace, which has been the traditional home of the Turkish president since the founding of the Turkish Republic.
After official celebrations, Erdogan flew to the central province of Karaman to inspect efforts to rescue the trapped miners.
Meanwhile, Turkey's Republic Day was celebrated all over the world, including the U.S., Germany, Russia, France, Ukraine, Greece, Canada, Qatar, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Albania and Spain.
Erdogan's message was read aloud at all receptions hosted by Turkey's embassies and consulate generals.
In his message, Erdogan thanked all countries for sharing Turkey's excitement on the 91st anniversary of the foundation of the Turkish Republic.
Erdogan added that with its continuously growing economy, developing democracy, commitment to EU membership, and high standing in international platforms, Turkey will not shy away from using its experiences in the name of humanity for regional and global peace.
The official recognition of the Turkish Republic took place on October 29, 1923 by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
On that day, the new name of the nation and its status as a Republic was declared.
After the declaration, a vote occurred in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and Ataturk, a revolutionary statesman and founder of the Turkish Republic, was elected as the first president of the Republic of Turkey by unanimous vote.
Since then, Turkey celebrates its Republic Day every year on October 29.
www.aa.com.tr/en
