A commemoration event was held in Washington, the capital of the USA, on the occasion of July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day.
At the ceremony held by the Turkish Embassy in Washington at the embassy building, Ambassador Sedat Önal, Chairman of the National Defense Commission of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Hulusi Akar, President of the Global Policy Institute (GPI) Paolo Von Schirach, Secretary General of the US Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) Oussama Jammal, representatives of Turkish institutions and organizations in the country, Turkish and American citizens and guests were present.
Türkiye's Ambassador to Washington Önal reminded that on July 15, 2016, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) tried to overthrow the elected government, assassinate the country's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and "seize all organs of the state structure."
Stating that we should not be complacent about FETO, Önal said, "We must be prepared, especially in countries such as the USA, where this organization still continues its existence and activities. As Türkiye's representatives here, we will continue our fight against the activities and anti-Turkey propaganda of this organization, which aims to denigrate Türkiye and damage Turkish-American relations." he said.
Önal underlined that taking an uncompromising stance against FETO is "also a duty of the Turkish-American community" and said, "We also hope that we will see more cooperation from the American authorities in our fight to completely neutralize this organization in America." he said.
July 15 was a turning point for Türkiye
Speaking at the ceremony in Washington, Grand National Assembly of Turkey National Defense Commission Chairman Hulusi Akar said, "July 15 was a turning point for Turkey. Since that day, Turkey has not only healed its wounds, but also entered a radical transformation process. The determination displayed that night also led to the development of a comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy." he said.
Former Minister of National Defense Akar pointed out that the real victory was the "resistance and unity displayed by the Turkish nation" under the leadership of President Erdoğan.
On July 15, Akar emphasized the "loyalty of Turkish soldiers and citizens", the "spirit of unity" displayed between the army and the nation, and the change in Türkiye's counter-terrorism strategy after the coup.
"The real victory on July 15 was not just democracy." Akar noted that the real victory belongs to the unshakable will of the Turkish nation, the power and vision of the Turkish state.
"FETO is a clear threat to every country in which it operates"
In the later minutes of the program, Presidential Communications Director Burhaneddin Duran's video message, specially prepared for July 15, was published.
Emphasizing that FETO is still harbored and supported in various countries, Duran said, "Our call to all countries that are friends of Türkiye and want to mutually nourish and grow this friendship is this; we expect our friends to stand by us and act with a sense of loyalty against the structures that target our nation's sovereignty and democracy." he said.
Duran said, "Because FETO is not a national security problem that only concerns Türkiye. FETO is a clear threat to every country in which it operates." he said.
Members of the US House of Representatives, Joe Wilson and Pete Sessions, also attended the program at the Turkish Embassy with a video message and expressed their support for Turkish democracy.
Paolo Von Schirach, President of the Global Policy Institute (GPI), who personally attended the event, stated that the US administration of the period made a statement in favor of the elected administration, albeit late, regarding the coup attempt in Türkiye and said, "However, this statement could have been made more clearly and earlier." He criticized.
At the end of the program, a photo exhibition reflecting the resistance and determination of the Turkish people and their state during the coup attempt on July 15, 2016 and its aftermath was visited.