30.08.2026 20:50
Speaking at the Special Program for the August 30 Victory Day, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, regarding the ship disaster off the coast of Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, said, 'If there is any negligence, we will ensure that the necessary steps are taken to hold those responsible accountable. I once again congratulate every member of our nation on August 30 Victory Day.'
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made statements at the special program for the August 30 Victory Day.
FERRY DISASTER IN GIRNE: THOSE RESPONSIBLE WILL BE HELD TO ACCOUNT
At the beginning of his speech, Erdogan referred to the ferry disaster that occurred off the coast of Girne in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), saying, "Unfortunately, today we received news of an accident in Girne that deeply saddened us all. At the very beginning of my remarks, I extend my condolences to our brothers who lost their lives in the ferry accident off the coast of Girne, wish patience to their families, and convey my get-well wishes to our brothers who survived. We will ensure that the necessary steps are taken in cooperation with the authorities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to determine the causes of the accident and to hold those responsible accountable if there is any negligence. I pray that God protects our nation and our Turkish Cypriot brothers from all kinds of accidents and calamities."
"ON AUGUST 30, OUR NATION LEFT THOSE WHO SEWED ITS SHROUD DISAPPOINTED AND OPENED THE PATH TO THE FOUNDATION OF OUR REPUBLIC"
President Erdogan continued his speech as follows: "Dear guests, together with you, I once again congratulate every member of our nation on August 30 Victory Day. On this meaningful day, in your presence, I once again commemorate with mercy and gratitude our heroic army's Commander-in-Chief, Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and his comrades-in-arms, who led our nation to a great victory 104 years ago, and all our martyrs, especially those who fell on the battlefield during the national struggle, who sacrificed their lives for our homeland, our flag, and our independence.
As our national anthem's poet, the late Mehmet Akif, said, "These loyal servants of God do not enter stone tombs; shrouded in forgiveness, they await only a Fatiha," we send our Fatihas and prayers together to the souls of the martyrs, and we say may God make their abode paradise and their station exalted.
The Great Offensive, one of the most critical phases of the Turkish nation's struggle for independence, is the final and decisive stage of the national struggle. The offensive, launched on the morning of August 26, 1922, from Afyon Kocatepe, was conducted under the command of Gazi Mustafa Kemal and, after four days of hand-to-hand fighting, concluded with a definitive victory at Dumlupinar. On August 30, our nation left those who sewed its shroud disappointed and opened the path to the foundation of our Republic.
"LIKE ALL OUR PREVIOUS STATES, WE FOUNDED OUR LAST STATE, THE REPUBLIC OF TURKEY, NOT BY ANYONE'S FAVOR, BUT BY BURYING A HERO FROM EVERY HOME"
With this victory, achieved despite all kinds of deprivation and impossibility, our nation once again declared to the entire world that these lands, which have been made a homeland since the 1071 victory of Malazgirt, are a Turkish homeland and Islamic land. Gazi Mustafa Kemal, in his speech while laying the foundation of the Martyr Standard-Bearer Mehmetcik Monument in Dumlupinar on the second anniversary of the great victory, explains what August 30 means as follows: "There should be no doubt that the foundation of the new Turkish state, the Turkish Republic, was solidified here. Its eternal life was crowned here. The Turkish blood shed in this field and the souls of the martyrs hovering in this sky are the eternal guardians of our state and republic. The martyr soldier monument, whose foundation we lay here, will represent those souls, together with their comrades-in-arms, and the self-sacrificing and heroic Turkish nation. This monument will remind those who covet the Turkish homeland of the fire, the bayonet, the assault, the power, and the intensity of will of the Turkish nation on August 30."
Yes, not only the martyr soldier monument at Dumlupinar, but the prices we have paid and made our adversaries pay on these lands for centuries are living witnesses to what our nation is willing to risk when its independence is at stake.
When we look at our chain of victories that began at Malazgirt in 1071 and continued at Dumlupinar in 1922, we see this: We are a nation great with its history, great with its victories, great with its struggle. Like all our previous states, we founded our last state, the Republic of Turkey, not by anyone's favor, but by burying a hero from every home. We won our independence not with the help of such great powers, imperialist powers, but with the sacrifice of our mothers who, for centuries, sent off their hennaed lambs to the front with prayers, saying 'either be a martyr or a veteran.'
"THOSE WHO WANT TO KNOW US..."
Not by relying on others, but by believing in the strength of our own arms, supporting each other, and when necessary, giving our lives in the same trenches for the same crescent, we have existed on these lands, and we have stood thus for a thousand years. I underline this unchanging truth once again today: Those who want to know us should look at Malazgirt and Gallipoli. Those who want to understand the nature of this nation should look at the great victory.
Those who want to learn under what conditions this country was founded should look at the national struggle. Those who want to see the character of this nation should look at the Nene Hatuns, the Kara Fatmas, the Serife Bacis, the Sahin Beys, the Sutcu Imams. They should look at those who defied deadly weapons on the night of July 15. They should look at the Euphrates Shield operation we conducted 40 days after July 15. Those trying to provoke Turkey should read a history book, which will also show them their own past, before indulging in vain dreams.
Let everyone know and understand well that the majesty of our ancestors is known to the world. Do not think that nature changes; this blood is still that blood. Here, I also want to particularly remind of this truth: Borders can physically separate countries, but they cannot separate hearts and people. Especially, no borders can ever be drawn between brothers who have faced the same qibla for centuries, believed in the same holy book, and devoted their hearts to the same Prophet. As Turkey, we will resolutely continue to strengthen our cooperation in every field with our geography of heart and culture, starting with our neighbors.
"THE DOORS OF A NEW ERA HAVE BEEN OPENED"
Since our region is going through a historical process as much as it is difficult, we, as a nation, must act accordingly. You may recall that two years ago, from this very podium, we called on our nation to fortify the domestic front. Thank God, this call found a response both in politics and among our nation. With the very valuable contributions of our People's Alliance partner, Mr. Devlet Bahceli, the doors of a new era have been opened in our country. We have made significant progress toward the permanent resolution of the terrorism issue, which has cost our country nearly half a century. We have also put forward a broader vision for our terror-free zone goal. Now, we see this vision coming to life step by step.
In the coming days, as in Syria, as the terrorism files are closed, hopes will grow, and a different wind will begin to blow in our geography. Just as what we said 10-15 years ago is, with the help of God, turning into reality one by one today, we will, God willing, all bear witness together to the realization of what we say today in the not-too-distant future. As both a nation and brother peoples in the region, after great hardships, we are in a position to seize the opportunity to write a new golden page in history."
With Allah's permission, we will not allow this opportunity to slip away.
For this, our greatest need is unity and solidarity. Even if our political views and origins differ, we must come together around our motto of one nation, one flag, one homeland, one state. What we need is a Great Turkey consensus. I sincerely believe that our nation will flow like a mighty river towards the horizons that history calls us to, breaking the barriers in its path. May God open our way and our fortune, I say.
With these feelings, I once again congratulate you on the thirtieth of August Victory Day. I greet you with love and respect. Stay well. "