Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler stated that the goal of a Terror-free Turkey should not be considered only as a security policy and said, "This goal is the ideal of a strong Turkey where our children look to the future with hope, mothers' tears are relieved, brotherhood is strengthened, peace is rooted and trust in a bright future is further strengthened."
Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler spoke at the ceremony held at the Ministry of National Defense on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. Speaking at the ceremony attended by force commanders, deputy ministers, families of martyrs and veterans, Minister Güler commemorated the martyrs who lost their lives for the independence of the homeland, the independence of the nation and the survival of the state with mercy, gratitude and gratitude.
Stating that some dates do not represent just one day in the calendar, but have become a historical trust that must be engraved in the memory of nations and passed on to future generations, Minister Güler said, "July 15, 2016 is such a historical turning point. On the night of July 15, our noble nation went through a difficult test and wrote one of the most meaningful epics of our history by protecting its state, democracy and independence."
Emphasizing that it was not only the constitutional order of the state that was targeted on the night of July 15, Güler said:
"It was not only the constitutional order of our state that was targeted that night. It was our national will. It was our democracy. It was our independence. It was our state tradition of thousands of years. Most importantly, it was the common future of our nation. That night, history once again showed that no state that has the support of its nation can be destroyed, and no nation that has confidence in its state can be taken into captivity."
Stating that under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the nation put its faith against weapons, courage against threats, and love of the country against betrayal, Güler said that the nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces, protecting the national will and turning a dark night into a bright morning.
Stating that July 15 is not only the date of a failed betrayal, Güler said, "July 15 is also the day when the unshakable bond of trust between the state and the nation sealed history. July 15 is the will of a nation that never gave up its freedom. As a result, July 15 is an epic of resurrection written with the sacrifice of our martyrs, the courage of our veterans and the common conscience of our noble nation."
"The home front is the common conscience of our nation"
Güler noted that what makes nations strong is not only the opportunities they have, but the real strength is being able to unite in common goals, unite in difficult times and walk towards the same future together, and said that this is the biggest lesson left by July 15.
Reminding that Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk drew attention to the importance of the home front in the most difficult days of the War of Independence, Güler said:
"Despite a century that has passed, this determination remains valid in all its aspects today. Because the internal front is the common conscience of our nation. It is the consciousness of common history. It is the trust we have in each other. It is the will to believe in the same future under the shadow of the same flag. As long as the internal front is solid, no threat, no focus of betrayal and no dark structure will be able to divert the Republic of Turkey from its path."
"The goal of a terrorism-free Türkiye should not be considered only as a security policy"
Stating that the situations experienced in the nearby geography clearly show that security is no longer just a struggle at the borders, Güler stated that states are faced with terrorism, cyber attacks, disinformation, economic pressures and initiatives targeting social disintegration, in addition to conventional threats.
Güler emphasized that preserving national unity and solidarity in such a sensitive period is the greatest guarantee of security, democracy, development and the future, and continued as follows:
"The goal of a Terror-Free Turkey, put forward with this understanding, should not be considered only as a security policy. This goal is a strong Turkey ideal where our children look to the future with hope, mothers' tears cease, brotherhood strengthens, peace is rooted and trust in a bright future is further strengthened. We know very well that where there is no terrorism, there is trust. Where there is trust, there is production, investment, science, technology and development, and most importantly, peace."
Stating that a Türkiye completely free from the shadow of terrorism would be the strongest expression of loyalty to the martyrs and the most meaningful response to the sacrifices of the veterans, Güler said that Türkiye is a country that gives confidence and creates stability in its region with its strong state tradition, heroic army, security forces, the level it has reached in the domestic and national defense industry, and its nation that stands by its state under all circumstances.
Referring to the NATO Summit hosted by Türkiye, Güler said, "The NATO Summit, which was successfully hosted by our country last week, demonstrated Türkiye's effectiveness in the international arena under the leadership of our President, and many allied country leaders drew attention to the power of our army and the distinguished level of our defense industry."
"Our fight against FETO continues with determination"
Stating that the main source of Türkiye's power is the nation's spirit of unity, determination of solidarity, common goals and unshakable belief in the future, Güler stated that the Turkish Armed Forces has always considered it the greatest honor to be worthy of the trust of the nation from which it emerged and that it has served selflessly for the survival of the homeland in every period of its history.
Noting that the Turkish army fights with the same spirit at every stage, from Malazgirt to Çanakkale, from Sakarya to Cyprus, from the fight against terrorism to cross-border operations, Güler said:
"Today, our heroic army continues to fulfill its duties on land, at sea, in the air, in space and in cyberspace with outstanding success. Our fight against all structures that threaten the existence of our state, especially FETO, continues with the same determination within the framework of the principles of the rule of law."
Güler said, "After being cleared of traitors, our Turkish Armed Forces have become much stronger and have reached a higher operational capability, becoming a force with high deterrence."
"The Century of Türkiye will be the century of peace, not terror"
Stating that the goals of the second century of the Republic are a Turkey where peace is permanent, terrorism is completely off the agenda, science and technology direct production, a pioneer in the defense industry, a strong economy, democracy rooted and brotherhood reinforced, Güler continued his words as follows:
"I believe that the Turkish Century will be the century of solidarity, not division, of trust, not fear, of hope, not despair, of peace, not terror. Our duty is not only to commemorate July 15 today. Our main duty is to keep alive the spirit entrusted to us that night and to fully pass it on to future generations."
At the end of his speech, Güler commemorated with respect and gratitude the heroes who fought for the survival of the state and the independence of the nation, including Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades in arms. - ANKARA