26.02.2025 19:12
Former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Bülent Arınç, celebrated President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's 71st birthday by recalling the Virtue Party Congress in 2000.
Former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Bülent Arınç, celebrated President Erdoğan's birthday by recalling the discussions at the Virtue Party Congress held on May 14, 2000, saying, "I welcome you to the club of 70s. I wish that the remaining years of your life will be more beneficial than the years you have lived."
Bülent Arınç, who is among the founders of the AK Party and served as the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly for a period, congratulated President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on his 71st birthday via his social media account.
In his post, Arınç also recalled the discussions at the Virtue Party Congress held on May 14, 2000, stating, "I welcome you to the club of 70s. I wish that the remaining years of your life will be more beneficial than the years you have lived."
REMEMBERING THE 2000 CONGRESS
Adding photos taken with Erdoğan to his post, Arınç said, "I congratulate our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who turns 71 today, with all my heartfelt feelings. During the speech of our candidate Abdullah Gül at the Virtue Party Congress on May 14, 2000, he addressed the entire crowd, saying, 'You give the example of Fatih Sultan Mehmet conquering Istanbul at the age of 21 and boast about his achievements, but does one need to be over 70 to become the chairman in the National Vision line?' Following this, there was a tremendous chaos in the hall, and I took the floor to clarify this and made that speech that those who know will remember. The speech had a significant impact at the congress," he stated.
"I WISH YOU PROSPEROUS YEARS IN WHICH YOU RULE WITH JUSTICE"
Continuing his post, Arınç said, "Inspired by this congress, which our President also followed, I say this: God has granted you the opportunity to serve in this path since your youth. You have been Prime Minister for nearly 11 years and have been in the presidency for more than 11 years. For this, I congratulate you. I welcome you to the club of 70s. I wish that the remaining years of your life will be more beneficial than the years you have lived. I hope you have prosperous years in which you rule with justice in peace."