President Erdoğan spoke at the MSÜ Military Academy Diploma Receiving and Flag Handover Ceremony

 

Speaking at the Army War College’s Commencement and Flag Handover Ceremony, President Erdoğan said: “Our Turkish Armed Forces are the guarantee of our country's independence, the indivisible integrity of our homeland, and our national unity and solidarity.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the Commencement and Flag Handover Ceremony at Army War College in Ankara.

“ARMY WAR COLLEGE IS THE APPLE OF OUR MILITARY’S EYE”

“Founded in 1834 as Mekteb-i Harbiye-i Şahane (Imperial Military School), our Army War College is the apple of our military’s eye with its 190-year history. For nearly two centuries, our Army War College has trained heroic officers who served under very difficult conditions, sacrificed their lives for the defense of the homeland, and whose military record is full of success. The founder of our Republic, Ghazi Mustafa Kemal, Field Marshal Fevzi Çakmak, Ali Fuat Cebesoy, Fethi Okyar, Kazım Karabekir and many other distinguished people who have written their names in history and in the hearts of our nation were trained under this roof and played very important roles in our War of Independence,” President Erdoğan said.

“This year, a total of 989 cadets, 72 of whom are our guests from 14 different countries of the world, are graduating from our Army War College. I congratulate each of our lieutenants who have received their diplomas and joined the ranks of our army, and I kiss them on their foreheads one by one. I also congratulate our instructors and commanders who have trained our graduates in the best way possible,” President Erdoğan said.

“OUR ARMED FORCES HONORABLY FULFILL THEIR DUTIES WHEREVER THEY ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY”

“From Syria to Northern Iraq, from Libya to Somalia, our Armed Forces honorably fulfill their duties wherever they assume responsibility,” President Erdoğan said.

“Our Turkish Armed Forces are the guarantee of our country's independence, the indivisible integrity of our homeland, and our national unity and solidarity,” President Erdoğan said. “Our military is also a source of hope for the oppressed around the world with our flag with star and crescent it proudly bears as a badge of honor.”

“In terms of geography, Türkiye is a bridge; in terms of culture a center and in terms of economy a transition zone. Living in such a geography in a free, upright and independent manner is not for the faint of heart or for every man. Even the slightest sign of weakness can expose our nation to enormous threats,” President Erdoğan said.

“WE WILL BROADEN OUR VISION TO INCLUDE THE WHOLE WORLD”

“Wherever there is a kin of ours from the Adriatic to the steppes of Asia, his/her issue is our issue. From the Caucasus to Africa, wherever there is a brother or sister, his/her problem is our problem. Just as we are one and united with Azerbaijan, which we act with the slogan of two states and one nation, our hearts beat the same with all our brothers and sisters in the Turkic republics. How can we turn our backs on al-Quds, where our ancestors ruled in peace, tranquility, and prosperity for four centuries? How can we turn a blind eye to the land of Palestine, where Ghazi Mustafa Kemal fought to keep the enemy from invading it? How can we close our ears to the cries of our Palestinian brothers and sisters who have been subjected to genocide by Israel for 11 months? Who can separate Istanbul from Al-Quds al-Sharif? Who can separate Gaza from Gaziantep? Who can build a wall between us and our brothers whom we fought side by side and martyred side by side in Çanakkale a century ago?” President Erdoğan said.

“Whoever tries to confine Türkiye’s horizons to 782 thousand square kilometers is a stranger to these lands, if not unwary,” President Erdoğan said. “We will think in a Türkiye-centered way, but we will broaden our vision to include the whole world.”