"The popular resistance on July 15th is a unique event in the history of global democracy"

One of the most brutal coup attempts in Turkish political history occurred ten years ago, on July 15, 2016. The aim of this attempt, carried out by a terrorist network that cunningly infiltrated state institutions, was to plunge Turkey into long-term chaos and subjugate the future of its people to its dominance. However, our proud people, who held fast to the independence of their homeland and the future of their nation, confronted the coup plotters with heroic resistance, declaring to the whole world that the national will in this land cannot be enslaved or confiscated. There is no doubt that what the Turkish people demonstrated on the night of July 15th in terms of wisdom, courage, and foresight is a unique event in the history of global democracy.

This treacherous attempt, carried out by the Gulenist Terrorist Organization (FETO), was more than a traditional military coup; it represented a comprehensive occupation attempt that threatened the independence and sovereignty of our country. The primary targets of the coup plotters were the Presidential Complex and the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, as they are the institutions that embody the national will and the independence of the Turkish people. In the statement I made on the night of July 15th, I emphasized that I never believed in a power greater than the power of the people. I said this with the conviction that the Turkish people would protect their free will. Indeed, on that night, our people took to the streets with firm faith and great self-confidence, refusing to submit to the dominance of the terrorist gang. Our people, in defense of their homeland's independence, their democratic gains, and their free will, waged a valiant resistance, sacrificing everything precious, until they were able to defeat the coup plotters, writing a national epic in safeguarding the popular will that will remain a source of pride passed down through generations.

Inspired by the courageous stance shown by our people, we were determined to act quickly to remove the negative effects left by this treacherous attempt. We promptly initiated structural reforms to ensure that any formations within state institutions were stripped of their ability to threaten the democratic process through extra-political means. Subsequently, we achieved decisive successes in the operations we carried out both domestically and abroad, as part of our strategy to eliminate other terrorist organizations we faced. Ultimately, we launched the 'Turkey Free of Terrorism' initiative, as a new chapter in our national unity and solidarity. This path is one of the fundamental pillars of the Turkish Centennial Vision, and by the grace of God, it is moving with confident steps towards achieving its goals, based on a comprehensive and inclusive approach, and on the efforts made by the competent security agencies, as well as the support provided by political institutions. I believe that the success of the 'Turkey Free of Terrorism' path will not only positively reflect on the security and stability of our country but will also contribute to strengthening peace and stability in our region.

We have taken firm steps towards building a more prosperous future through the projects we have launched in the energy, transportation, health, agriculture, technology, and defense sectors, as part of our struggle against the coup attempt that also targeted economic well-being and development in our country. Over the past ten years, we have achieved a qualitative leap in the defense, aviation, and space industries through the National Technology Initiative. We have also developed electric and smart transportation systems, and we have made significant investments in the health and agriculture sectors, striving to live up to the sacrifices made by our people. During this period, we also continued to develop products that have become widely recognized brands globally. Among the most prominent are the TOGG electric car, the KAAN national combat aircraft, national corvettes, and drones.

On the other hand, over the past ten years, Turkey, thanks to its proactive diplomacy approach, has emerged as an influential actor in finding solutions to crises and conflicts at both regional and international levels. We have not hesitated to assume our responsibilities to establish peace and stability, standing in all crisis areas with the oppressed and the rightful, not with the strongest. Whenever injustice or a violation of justice occurred, Turkey was a voice for international law, justice, and human conscience. If Turkey today is considered a country whose contributions to regional and international issues are relied upon, whose word is trusted, and whose opinions are taken into account, the credit for this achievement goes to the unwavering will of our proud people, who, sacrificing themselves, defended the independence of their homeland and the future of their nation on the night of July 15th.

The fight against terrorism, which requires international cooperation, remains at the forefront of our foreign policy agenda. As is known, over the past two years, the pace of internal disintegration in the external structure of the Gulenist Terrorist Organization (FETO) has accelerated. However, we are aware that some countries, albeit implicitly, continue to provide support to this organization and harbor its elements. On this occasion, I would like to emphasize the need for caution regarding the Gulenist Terrorist Organization (FETO), which does not hesitate to resort to any means to achieve its goals, disguises itself in various forms, and exploits concepts of democracy, freedom, human rights, and other values to achieve its ends. As a people who lost 253 of its children as martyrs at the hands of the coup plotters on the night of July 15th, our primary expectation from the international community is to support Turkey's legitimate struggle. As a people whose 253 children were martyred by the coup plotters on the night of July 15th, we look forward to the international community supporting Turkey's legitimate struggle. For the establishment of peace, security, and prosperity at the global level can only be achieved through a firm and uncompromising fight against terrorist organizations, without any discrimination, and based on sincere cooperation.