Congratulatory message from the president of the Republic of Turkey

On Wednesday, October 29, Turkey clebrated its 91st Anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey.

The President of the Republic of Turkey, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sent a congratulatory message to the Turkish Ambassador to Uganda H.E Ms Sedef Yavuzalp and  all Turkish citizens livingin Uganda on the occasion of 91st Anniversary of Republic Day.

The Day was also celebrated in Uganda with extremely large turn-up of guests. Uganda’s Speaker of Parliamnet, Rt. Hon.Rebecca Kadaga, was the chief guest. It was also attended by Uganda’s Minister of State for Internal Affairs, James Baba and the Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Katumba Wamala and Mr Ofwono Opondo, the Executive Director of Uganda Media Centre also doubling as the Government Spokesperson, among other guests. Below is President Erdogan’s congratulatory message.

"H.E. Ms. Sedef Yavuzalp, Ambassador of  Turkey, I would like to congratulate the Republic Day of all our citizens living in this friendly country where you perform your duties; I pray the Almighty that the 91st Anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey will conduce to the benefaction of our country, our nation, and all friendly and brotherly countries.

I convey our peace and solidarity messages to representatives of all friendly and brotherly countries, on their behalf to all friendly and brotherly peoples who share our enthusiasm on the 91st Anniversary of the foundation of the Republic of Turkey; and to all of our mission personnel, and extend the wholehearted greetings of our nation.

The Republic of Turkey has a foreign policy understanding, which defends peace, solidarity, justice and prosperity in the world; respects internal affairs and territorial integrity of each and every country, and upholds human rights and freedoms above everything else.

These values we have carefully preserved and safeguarded for 91 years will remain to be the unshakeable fundamental principles of Turkish foreign policy in the future, as is the case today. Turkey will never hesitate to support justice, righteousness and peace, and will continue to courageously defend the rights of the oppressed and victimized in every single issue.

With its steadily growing economy, its democracy reaching higher standards, its resolute European Union strategy, its membership to the G-20, and its active policies in international platforms, Turkey will never abstain from mobilizing its wide experience for the sake of regional and global peace and the benefit of humanity.

With these thoughts, I congratulate once again the Republic Day of all of our citizens, brothers and sisters, and our relatives living there.

On this meaningful day, on behalf of my country and my nation, I would like to convey my gratitude to friendly and brotherly countries, their people and representatives who share our excitement and sentiments, and I would like to send my deep feelings of affection and greetings.

The writer is the President of the Republic of Turkey