Hamza Dağ: AK Party has become the name of hope, future, and achievements for our nation.

AK Party, founded on August 14, 2001, under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is celebrating its 23rd anniversary. Since its establishment, AK Party has been the first party in all general elections it has entered, and it has become the party that has remained in power for the longest period since the beginning of multi-party political life in 1946.

Speaking at the 23rd Anniversary Program held in Ankara, AK Party Deputy Chairman Hamza Dag expressed the following:

"Respected Chairman, Honorable President, esteemed guests... I greet you with heartfelt respect and affection. Welcome to the 23rd anniversary event of AK Party, the architect of Turkey's Century, the pioneer of service and action politics. On August 14, 2001, we had a claim, an ideal, and a promise to our nation: "Nothing will be the same in Turkey anymore."

With this aim, we established our AK Party, which is the guarantee of Turkey's future, under the leadership of our Leader Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying "Open to enlightenment, closed to darkness." We became the hope, the future, and the name of action for our nation, which was being dragged into pessimism in the early 2000s, with the roadmap drawn by Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the vision displayed by AK cadres.

Since that day, Turkish politics has met with a political will that runs after every claim and goal with great determination. Thanks to God, we have implemented many services that were unimaginable before AK Party under the leadership of President Erdogan. We have presented many mega projects to our nation. We have put our signature under actions that will make our people's lives easier in every field, from transportation to energy, from education to health, from tourism to defense industry. We have experienced and continue to experience the justified pride of doing much more than what was done in 80 years under AK Party rule.

Dear comrades,

To describe AK Party only with concrete projects and actions would be unfair to the past 23 years. Undoubtedly, we have also achieved many important successes that have touched hearts together.

In Turkey;

• We have realized the Anatolian revolution. We have eliminated the tutelage mentality.
• We have provided a home for those who have been persecuted for holding onto their values.
• We have reminded that politics is about loving the nation and serving the country.
• We have shown that the real victory is being united with the people despite all kinds of pressure and antidemocratic attempts.
• And we have opened Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, which is a pride monument for us and a common heritage of humanity, for worship.

Respected President,

In these 23 years filled with success and victories, AK Party has not been just a political party that aims to win elections. The will you have shown by saying "The world is bigger than 5" and the stance you have shown by saying "A More Just World is Possible" have provided a new vision of struggle. In this path you have opened, Turkey has become the fortress of a strong objection against the established order, the hope of our hearts' geography.

Today;

• While the killers commit the biggest massacre in the history of humanity in Palestine and Gaza,
• While the occupiers displace and kill children, women, and the elderly, Turkey is the hope of the oppressed, the voice of the collective conscience.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the only leader who fights "relentlessly" to make the just cause of Palestine heard by the world. The humanitarian tragedy in Palestine is not and will not be a matter of calculation or self-interest for Recep Tayyip Erdogan, AK Party, or those who are ignorant enough to be fond of killers and Zionists, both inside and outside. They should be aware that Turkey is the light that comes from the snow after tense nights and dark nights.

Our nation and the people around the world whose hearts beat with Palestine should know that one day, that light from the snow will illuminate all hearts that have fallen into despair. It will remove the oily noose put around the necks of the lands that the world has ignored and left helpless.

Dear President,

We have learned what it means to serve our nation and love it unconditionally from you. As the big AK Party family, we will say "We will run with love for the future of Turkey" and continue to run!

Both in this hall and in other cities, every one of our comrades has never shied away from the relentless struggle, and they will not shy away from it in the future. The big AK Party family will continue to be the name of hope, future, and action.

Respected President, esteemed guests;

Before concluding my words, as the big AK Party family, we express our gratitude to all our founders who put their hands under the stone to bring about profound transformations in Turkish politics despite the conditions of our country during the establishment period and all kinds of intimidation policies.

We thank our Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has carried the burden of 23 years on his shoulders, and all our members who have shed sweat in our party, from neighborhood presidents to district administrations, from provincial chairmen to members of parliament, from women's branches to youth branches, from members of the Central Decision Board to members of the Central Executive Board, and our observers and delegates. I also pray for the mercy of all our party members who have passed away.

We express our gratitude to Emine Erdogan, who has always contributed to the AK Party family with her efforts and sacrifices, guiding us like a mother, and opened up the horizons not only for us but also for the world with visionary projects such as the Zero Waste Project.

Happy 23rd anniversary to our family, our home, AK Party. I greet each and every one of you with love, affection, and respect."