Erdogan sends Victory Day wishes to Turkish Cypriots

Ankara, Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan extended his wishes to the Turkish Cypriot people as Turkey marked Victory Day, the 104th anniversary of Mustafa Kemal’s forces defeating Greece at the Battle of Dumlupinar in 1922.

He said the August 30 victory remained a source of motivation for Turkey and pledged that the country would continue to support justice, peace and stability.

Victory Day message

Erdogan said Turkey was proudly commemorating the 104th anniversary of the victory, which he described as the “commander-in-chief’s battle” and the most important phase of the national struggle.

He extended his wishes to the Turkish nation, the Turkish Cypriot people and Turkish citizens living in other countries.

“With the August 30 victory, it was once again certified that the lands on which we have lived freely for a thousand years are our eternal homeland,” he said.

He said the victory paved the way for the establishment of the republic and proclaimed that the nation would not accept subjugation.

Turkey’s policies

Erdogan said the Battle of Dumlupinar had also served to break what he described as an imperialist siege targeting Turkey’s lands.

He said the determination, courage and resolve shown 104 years ago despite obstacles remained Turkey’s strongest source of motivation.

Drawing inspiration and confidence from its history, he said, Turkey was advancing towards its goals in energy, the defence industry, science and technology, and foreign policy.

Erdogan said that amid rising wars, conflicts, crises and political uncertainty, particularly in the region, Turkey stood out through what he described as principled, resolute and humanitarian-centred policies.

He said Turkey sought to prevent oppression, stand by oppressed people and pay a price when necessary for that cause.

Despite what he described as provocations by those who feed on instability, Erdogan said Turkey would continue to support justice, law, equity, peace and stability.