President Erdogan's 25th anniversary message: A historic transformation for Turkey

14.08.2026 13:00

President Erdogan, in an article he wrote for Al Arabiya on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the AK Party, emphasized that the party's quarter-century process has presented a historic transformation for Turkey. Noting that the heaviest test in the strengthening of democratic legitimacy was the July 15 coup attempt, Erdogan stated that the nation left the era of tutelage behind by embracing the elected will that night, and that this resolute stance constituted a historic turning point in the consolidation of democracy.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's article titled "AK Party: A Quarter-Century Transformation Story Written Together with the Nation," penned on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the AK Party's founding, was published in Saudi Arabia-based Al Arabiya.

In his article, Erdogan stated that when they founded the AK Party 25 years ago, they launched a long-term march together with the Turkish nation to reshape Turkey's future, and he explained that Turkey was under the heavy pressure of political crises, economic uncertainties, and a tutelary mentality in those days, while they aimed to put politics back at the service of the nation, strengthen the bond of trust between the state and citizens, and make Turkey a strong country capable of making its own decisions.

"On August 14, 2001, when we said 'Nothing will ever be the same in Turkey again,' our greatest assurance was the will of our nation. The AK Party was born as the common hope of millions whose rights were restricted, who bore the burden of crises, and who wanted a more prosperous future for their children," Erdogan assessed, and continued as follows:

"Today, when we look back, we see that the AK Party's quarter-century corresponds to a historic transformation for Turkey. Democratic legitimacy strengthened, our state's service capacity developed, and the participation of different segments of society in public life expanded. Turkey has become a country that sets its own goals, trusts its capabilities, and shapes its future with its own will. The strengthening of democratic legitimacy formed the foundation of our struggle during this period. We experienced its most severe test in the July 15 coup attempt. Our nation, by embracing the elected will and constitutional order that night, demonstrated that no force outside the ballot box could steer Turkey's future. This resolute stance became a historic turning point in leaving the tutelary era behind, strengthening civilian politics, and rooting our democracy. "

AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS 

Erdogan stated that the investments they made in areas ranging from education to health, transportation to energy, and social policies to urbanization formed the concrete foundation of transformations.

Emphasizing that they expanded access to public services across the country, Erdogan highlighted that they broadened Anatolia's production and development opportunities and supported the stronger participation of women, youth, disabled individuals, and all segments of society in economic and social life.

Pointing out that their steps in the defense industry and advanced technology significantly reduced foreign dependency in strategic areas, Erdogan assessed, "Our moves, from unmanned aerial vehicles to our national combat aircraft KAAN, and from warships to air defense systems, strengthened Turkey's production and technology capacity. TOGG, our space program, our nuclear energy investments, and the natural gas we discovered in the Black Sea became symbols of this new self-confidence. In the coming period, we will transform this accumulation into a new leap in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, energy technologies, and high value-added production. "

Erdogan drew attention to Turkey's position as one of the effective actors in the changing and increasingly multipolar international system in foreign policy, explaining that they act with a multifaceted approach based on diplomacy, dialogue, and humanitarian responsibility while protecting national interests.

Stating that they developed their relations with the Turkish and Islamic world in a multidimensional way and bravely defended the rights of the oppressed on every platform, Erdogan continued as follows: "As a strong ally of NATO, an effective member of the G20, a leading country of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and one of the principal actors of the European security architecture, we contribute to peace and stability in a vast geography stretching from the Black Sea to the Middle East and from the Caucasus to Africa. We see strategic autonomy as the ground for establishing more balanced relations based on mutual respect and common interests. Our call that 'The world is bigger than five' is the essence of our proposal that international institutions, especially the United Nations, should represent today's power balances and the diversity of societies more fairly. The fact that global peace and security depend on the priorities of a limited number of countries does not produce lasting solutions to the crises facing humanity. We believe that a more inclusive, more effective, and more accountable international order is essential for our common future. "

HE MENTIONED THE FEBRUARY 6 EARTHQUAKES

Erdogan recalled that throughout their quarter-century march, they faced numerous trials, from terrorist attacks to regional wars, irregular migration movements to the global pandemic and economic fluctuations, noting that these periods once again demonstrated the importance of strong institutions, effective public administration, and nation-state solidarity.

Stating that they experienced one of the most severe disasters in history in the February 6 earthquakes, Erdogan said, "This great catastrophe, which affected our 11 provinces and millions of our citizens, opened deep wounds in the hearts of our nation. We mobilized all the resources of our state from the very first moment. Today, we have made significant progress in the reconstruction of our cities. We continue our efforts with the same determination, from safe housing to production infrastructures, and from social life to the preservation of historical fabric. "

"BY FOCUSING ON THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE FUTURE. "

Erdogan stated that the fundamental element keeping the AK Party strong for a quarter-century is the heartfelt bond they established with the nation, adding that this experience also imposes on them the responsibility of constant renewal.

Stating that they must candidly assess the changing expectations of the nation, the future aspirations of young people, the effects of economic difficulties on daily life, and their ways of doing politics, Erdogan assessed, "Our past achievements are an important reference; it is our reform will and our ability to lead change that will carry us into the future. In the coming period, we will resolutely continue the fight against inflation while expanding production, investment, and employment. We will work for a Turkey that rewards hard work, spreads prosperity to all segments of society, and enables our youth to access opportunities more fairly, from education to employment and from entrepreneurship to housing. "

Stating that "The Century of Turkey is the name of our common will for the future for the second century of our Republic," Erdogan emphasized that they aim for a Turkey with strong democracy, productive economy, pioneering technology, effective foreign policy, and robust social solidarity.

Erdogan stressed that by combining the accumulation of the past with the opportunities of the future, they will increase the prosperity of the nation, strengthen regional stability, and contribute to a fairer international order.

President Erdogan said, "The 25th anniversary of the AK Party is a historic threshold where we evaluate the experience of the past and set out the road map for the new period."