Excellences, Generals,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for joining us today as we mark the Victory Day. This year we celebrate the 94th anniversary of the final battle of Turkish War of Independence led by the great commander and founding father of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

The victory enabled the foundation of modern Turkey one year later, in 1923, as we succeeded to build a modern state and society.

On our drive to build a democratic and prosperous Republic we have always faced with major challenges. However, we constantly moved forward thanks to the sacrifice of our men and women. Today, together with the modern world, we face with the huge threat of terrorism, as we continue to fight against it in its different forms and manifestations. As always, we will protect our nation and democracy with the endeavors of our army, security personnel, and people, and in solidarity with the modern world.

This year we also faced an outrageous attempt against our democracy and order. Less than two months ago, a junta linked to FETÖ terror group, aimed at our liberties and democratically elected government. Thanks to the courage of our men and women, who stood up against the tanks, we were able to protect our democracy.

Turkish Armed Forces has come out of this attempt even stronger. We are proud of our army and remember our martyrs, who lost their lives in defense of the country and while suppressing the recent putsch. We wish our security forces all the success in their missions as they continue to defend our common ideals in various parts of the world, notably in their recent mission against DAESH terrorism in Syria.

Allow me to underline the excellent level of relations between Turkey and Romania. We are not only neighbors and longtime friends, but also NATO allies and strategic partners. We are bothdedicated to further improving the relations in every field.Turkish and Romanian armies, navies and air forces are strong partners. We will continue our close cooperation as before.

I wish to extend my best wishes of success to the Romanian servicemen who are on duty for their country and for our common ideals. I also hope that stability and peace will reign in our common geographies, which span the Black Sea, the Balkans, and the Middle East. Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Turkish community in Romania, I also extend our deepest condolences to the families of the Romanian citizens, who lost their lives in the recent earthquake in Italy.

Let me honor once again the memory of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, all our heroes and martyrs with utmost respect and gratitude.

Multumesc.

Now, allow me to address in my mother tongue for our citizens and members of the Turkish and Tatar community.