THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE CANAKKALE NAVAL VICTORY AND MARTYRS' DAY

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said: "Today we are continuing the negotiations with the EU as a shining star of Eurasia thanks to the self-sacrificing Anatolian people."

Bagis, in his message on account of the anniversary of the Canakkale Naval Victory and Martyrs' Day, stated that the Canakkale Victory had been the revival episode of a nation.

Bagis indicated that whenever the Anatolian people believed in something and aimed at a target, they achieved it. He said "The slogan "Canakkale cannot be passed" has once again proved the determination of the Anatolian people to the world history. Without proper boots, uniforms and bullets, through the episode written by Mehmetcik our country has become the 17th greatest economy of the world today."

Bagis said Turkey owned one of the most important democracies of the region thanks to the Anatolian woman who carried bullets on her shoulder instead of her baby and continued: "Thanks to the self-sacrificing Anatolian people we, as the shining star of Eurasia are continuing the negotiations with EU today."

Bagis went on his speech as follows:

"In the same way Mehmetçik wrote the legendary that day, our army and security forces are the source of pride for our friends and a nightmare for our enemies -if there are any- today. How meaningful are the words Ataturk, the architect of the Canakkale Victory and the hero of Anafartalar, has uttered to Australian and New Zealander mothers sending their sons to war from faraway lands. "Cease your tears. Your sons are in our hearts. They are in tranquility. They, sacrificing their lives in this land, have become our children." These words are the best examples showing that we are a nation owning the virtue of embracing even the enemy. We cannot act hostilely to every foreign thing like some people want and say.

Following the most successful and dignified policy after Ataturk period in Turkish Republic Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Prime Minister, whose style achieves to stand soundly without defying is the ongoing of this behavior.

We are also continuing our European Union process parallel to the same line. Turkey a prosperous country which has reached the contemporary civilizations' level and which is a member of EU is not only a legacy for our children but our promise, our charge for self-sacrificing Anatolian people and for Mehmetçik who has martyred in all parts of Anatolia.

I commemorate Ataturk, the Great Leader, entrusting the most beautiful country to us, his weapon friends, and all our martyrs as we celebrate the 94th anniversary of the Canakkale Victory and 18th march Martyrs' Day.

Resource: AA