16.05.2026 20:10
Speaking at the 'A Youth Festival' program organized by the AK Party Youth Branches, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, 'Regardless of their views, lifestyle, faith, region, or origin, every young person of the Republic of Turkey holds the same value and importance for us.' Delivering important messages to the youth, Erdoğan also stated, 'In an era where terrorism is sidelined, the youth will have no regrets, nor will they bow to anyone.'
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the 'Youth Festival' program organized by the AK Party Youth Branches at Turka Kocaeli Stadium.
Highlights from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:
"WE ARE BUILDING THE TURKIYE CENTURY TOGETHER WITH YOU"
"I greet you with my warmest feelings, with longing and affection. Together with you, I send my greetings and love to our young people in 81 provinces, 922 districts of Turkiye, and also abroad. Welcome to the heart of industry, technology, entrepreneurial spirit, production, and labor, you have brought joy. I thank each one of you individually for your sincerity, your enthusiasm, your presence, and for being united. Praise be to Allah who brought our hearts together here.
I want you all to know this very well. As long as Allah grants me life, our companionship will continue. As long as this soul is in this body, our fellowship and camaraderie with you, our youth, will continue, God willing. You have a special place in our hearts. Together with you, we are writing epics. Together with you, we are building the Turkiye Century. We walk these paths together with you, our youth, get wet in the rain together, and work day and night saying everything for Turkiye.
"RESOURCES SPENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM WILL NOW BE USED FOR SERVICES"
Dear young people, our goal of a terrorism-free Turkiye aims for your peace and well-being. We want to realize our vision of a terrorism-free region for you, for your secure future. We say that mothers' hearts should no longer be filled with burning embers in this country. We want the children of this country and this nation not to be torn from life in the spring of their lives, not to wither away like fresh buds. We want the resources spent on fighting terrorism to now be spent on education, science, production, employment, transportation, and technology. Look, our nation has often lamented 'alas my youth' in our recent history. Parents have endured much hardship and pain. In the new era where terrorism is completely disabled, there will be no 'alas' from the past, nor will there be any 'sir' to anyone.
"EVERY YOUTH OF THE REPUBLIC OF TURKIYE IS OF EQUAL VALUE TO US"
Because regardless of their views, lifestyle, belief, region, or background, every youth of the Republic of Turkiye is of equal value to us, of equal importance, and the crown of our head. Each of our young people, together with their families, is the brightest flame of the hearth that keeps this country alive, the most beautiful sapling of our garden of unity. Let some constantly instill pessimism in you. Let some try to darken your hopes. We trust you to the end. With Allah's permission, the future scientists will come from among you. The future artists, poets, writers, painters will come from among you. The future architects of ideas, thinkers will come from among you. The future bureaucrats, politicians, ministers, and God willing, presidents will come from among you.
"JUST AS THE WORLD IS NOT THE OLD WORLD, TURKIYE IS NOT THE OLD TURKIYE"
Turkiye, the address of truth, justice, and peace, where the oppressed seek shelter and the oppressors dare not shake a finger, will rise on your shoulders. I state this once again today with all sincerity. It is you who will carry our country into the future. It is you who will wave the flag of goodness, peace, and tranquility on earth. It is you who will be the balm for the conscience of bleeding humanity. It is you who will carry this consciousness entrusted to us by the earth, protecting the rights of not only humans but every living and non-living being. In an age where humans are turned into objects of consumption, it is you who will remember that humans have an essential identity. Dear young brothers and sisters, today there is a world that fits into the phones in your palms. Just as the world is not the old world, Turkiye is not the old Turkiye.
"THERE IS A TURKIYE WHOSE WORD IS HEARD AT THE TABLE, WHOSE POWER IS FELT IN THE FIELD"
Today, there is a Turkiye whose star is rising in every field. There is a Turkiye standing firm while crises are happening in the world. There is a Turkiye whose word is heard at the table, whose power is felt in the field. Behind all this is your effort, your excitement, your sweat. God willing, we will reach much better places. As a nation, we have shaken off the dust of death sprinkled upon us. We believe in ourselves. We know our strength. We are aware of our potential. Just as we broke foreign dependency in the defense industry, just as we opened the doors to a new era in energy, just as we achieved historic successes in the fight against terrorist organizations, we will build a stronger Turkiye with you in the economy, employment, and technology as well. As long as we do not lose hope. As long as we do not let our enthusiasm break. What does our flag poet say? Arif Nihat Asya; 'Take the light ahead and walk. Let your shadow follow behind you, whether it comes or not.' What do we say for this? No stopping, no stopping."