Türkiye setting sail towards its 2nd century: Turkish President Erdogan

ISTANBUL

Türkiye is setting sail towards its second century, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

Delivering his centenary address on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye in Istanbul, Erdogan said: "The Republic of Türkiye, which we declared on Oct. 29, 1923, is completing its first century today and is setting sail towards its second century we call Century of Türkiye."

The Republic of Türkiye today, just as Ataturk wished, serves as a guardian for the forsaken in its region and in the world, he added.

“The Republic of Türkiye is not, and never has been, a rootless, historyless, ad hoc, and a newborn state. The Republic of Türkiye is a venerable treasure that has been passed from hand to hand, from heart to heart and from generation to generation for thousands of years.”

The president added that Türkiye is celebrating its 100th anniversary with the pride of having a strong, rich, and deep-rooted history as a nation.

"Our Republic, which is a new link in our thousand-year-old state tradition, is not the first but the latest state we have founded in these lands."

Türkiye rushes to the aid of those in need, from the Caucasus to Asia, from Turkistan to Palestine, he added.

“From the Balkans to the Caucasus, from Karabakh to Africa, from Turkestan to Palestine, wherever there are oppressed, victimized and needy people, it is Türkiye that rushes to help them, take them by the hand, lift them up, and solve their problems.”

“We have displayed this attitude before in Korea, Cyprus, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, and most recently in Karabakh. Today, we show the same stance for Palestine and Gaza, about which Ghazi (Ataturk) said ‘no one can lay a hand on,’ and we are trying to help the people of Gaza.”

He stressed that no imperialist power would be able to prevent the Republic of Türkiye from being happy, successful, and victorious.

Türkiye will also make a new agreement with Spain to hopefully increase its aircraft carriers to two by acquiring the upgraded version of TCG Anadolu, Erdogan added.

"Our grandest goal in the coming period is to save our democracy from the shame caused by the coup Constitution and introduce a Constitution worthy of the 100th anniversary of our Republic,” he noted.