CUMHURİYET BAYRAMI KONUŞMASI

29 EKİM 2014

Dear colleagues and representatives of the Consular Missions,

Dear members of the Turkish community,

Distinguished guests,

I would like to warmly welcome all of youfor being with us in this very special evening.

On the occasion of the 91st anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic which we celebrate as our National Day, I would like to extend my best wishes to all of you.

First of all, I would like to read the Republic Day message of the President of Turkey, adressed to the Turkish Ambassadors abroad.

"I would like to congratulate the Republic Day of all our citizens living in this friendly country where you perform your duties; I pray the Almighty that the 91st Anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey will conduce to the benefaction of our country, our nation, and all friendly and brotherly countries.

I convey our peace and solidarity messages to representatives of all friendly and brotherly countries, on their behalf to all friendly and brotherly peoples who share our enthusiasm on the 91st Anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey; and to all of our mission personnel, and extend the wholehearted greetings of our nation.

The Republic of Turkey has a foreign policy understanding, which defends peace, solidarity, justice and prosperity in the world; respects internal affairs and territorial integrity of each and every country, and upholds human rights and freedoms above everything else.

These values we have carefully preserved and safeguarded for 91 years will remain to be the unshakeable fundamental principles of Turkish foreign policy in the future, as is the case today. Turkey will never hesitate to support justice, righteousness and peace, and will continue to courageously defend the rights of the oppressed and victimized in every single issue.

With its steadily growing economy, its democracy reaching higher standards, its resolute European Union strategy, its membership to the G-20, and its active policies in international platforms, Turkey will never abstain from mobilizing its wide experience for the sake of regional and global peace and the benefit of humanity.

With these thoughts, I congratulate once again the Republic Day of all of our citizens, brothers and sisters, and our relatives living there.

On this meaningful day, on behalf of my country and my nation, I would like to convey my gratitude to friendly and brotherly countries, their people and representatives who share our excitement and sentiments, and I would like to send my deep feelings of affection and greetings.

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

President"

Dear Guests,

As we celebrate today’s historical significance, we also remember the great sacrifices made by our forefathers in their arduous endeavours to preserve the independence of Turkey, protect its territory and provide future generations with an opportunity to prosper as proud members of the community of nations. We feel particularly indebted to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.

Distinguished Guests,

Turkey and Egypt share strong historical and cultural ties. People to people relations between the two countries have always been special. Our common cultural heritage binds us firmly and the cultural interaction framework between ourbrotherly and friendly people is always strong.

Finally, I would like to mention that with its legendary lighthouse, bibliotheca, palaces, museums, royal gardens and a number of other awesome places I am very pleased to be in this historical city with my family as well as my Egyptian friends.

Dear Guests,

Before concluding, allow me to say a few words in Turkish:

Kıymetli vatandaşlarımız,

Değerli misafirlerimiz,

Sizleri şahsım, eşim ve Başkonsolosluğumuz mensupları adına saygıyla selamlıyorum. Hepimiz için son derece anlamlı ve değerli olan Cumhuriyet Bayramımızın 91. Yıldönümünü İskenderiye’de siz değerli vatandaşlarımız ve Mısırlı dostlarımızla birlikte kutlamanın heyecanı içindeyiz.

Öncelikle, Sayın Cumhurbaşkanımızın yurtdışındaki Büyükelçilerimizi muhatap Cumhuriyet Bayramı mesajını okumak istiyorum.

………..

Değerli vatandaşlarımız,

Bu anlamlı günde, Cumhuriyetimizin kurucusu Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’ü ve kahraman silah arkadaşlarını minnet ve şükranla anıyor; ülkemizi vatan yapan kahramanlarımızın, aziz şehitlerimizin ve gazilerimizin manevi huzurlarında saygıyla eğiliyorum. Sözlerime son vermeden, bu duygu ve düşüncelerle, Cumhuriyet Bayramımızı kutluyor; saygılarımı ve en iyi dileklerimi sunuyorum.

Teşekkür ederim.

Dear guests,

Before I conclude my remarks, I welcome you warmly once again for your participation and I hope you would enjoy food and company.