MARCH 18th, THE MARTYRS DAY AND THE 97th ANNIVERSARY OF THE VICTORY IN THE BATTLE OF CANAKKALE

Minister Bagis in his statement said:

“The victory in Canakkale of which we celebrate the 97th anniversary today is the legend of Turkish nation’s rebirth and also a memorial of brotherhood which changed the course of world history.

Turks, Kurds, Lazs, Circassians, all our martyrs from different ethnicities and sects who fought together to defend their country and lie in Canakkale side by side today are the strongest indicators of the unshakable  unity and solidarity of Turkish nation.

Victory of Canakkale is the symbol of belief, determination and decisiveness.

Victory of Canakkale shows how a nation which lost its hope could stand up if they hold each other tight with belief and courage.

Canakkale, as the poet Fazıl Husnu Daglarca says, is ‘the foreword of the new Turkey.’

Our all effort, as the government, is for writing an epic appropriate for this foreword and for leaving a more democratic and prosperous country to the coming generations.

Turkish nation which banded together without hesitation when its independence was in danger shall continue the struggle for its future which occurs in the form of EU accession negotiations, as one body.

In our EU accession negotiations which is misused and blocked due to double standards and daily political concerns the spirit of Canakkale encourages us as a source of inspiration to maintain our principle to keep our heads high without being obstinate.

The memory of Canakkale will continue to set light to the target of our country to reach the level of contemporary civilisation.

On 18 March the Martyrs Day and the 97th Anniversary of the victory in the Battle of Canakkale we commemorate once again Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, his comrades in arms and all the heroes of our independence war with gratitude.”