29 October is the day on which a nation took its destiny into its own hands.
The Republic, proclaimed 103 years ago under the leadership of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, is not merely a new form of government; it is a new philosophy of life in which sovereignty belongs to the nation and equality, justice and freedom are the guiding principles. This resolve, born from the ashes of war, has made the seemingly impossible possible; it has permanently instilled hope, determination and a belief in collective achievement in these lands.
The Republic has also entrusted us with the responsibility of becoming a society that thinks freely, produces, questions and looks to the future with confidence. This responsibility is a shared value for everyone in our sector—as in every other field—who contributes through their labour, knowledge and production. On this meaningful day, I would like to thank all members of our sector, from producers to employees, and from suppliers to stakeholders.
The spirit of the Republic lies in standing shoulder to shoulder in difficult times, viewing differences as a source of richness, and uniting around common goals. It is our collective duty today to keep this spirit alive, to uphold our founding values and to carry them forward.
I commemorate the founders of our Republic, our martyrs who lost their lives for this cause, and our veterans with compassion, gratitude and respect.
The Republic is not only a legacy but also a pledge renewed every day. We shall continue to fulfil this pledge through hard work, productivity and solidarity.
I celebrate the 103rd anniversary of our Republic and hope that this joy brings unity, peace and prosperity to our country, our families and all our sector partners.
Zeki Demirtaşoğlu
