On the 10th anniversary of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan penned an article for the global audience entitled “Resistance of 15 July is unparalleled in the history of world democracy.” In the article published across over 250 platforms in 44 countries, President Erdoğan conveyed a powerful message to the global audience regarding the Turkish people's dedication to democracy.
The article was published on 15 July in 44 countries, including Italy, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, South Korea, Nigeria, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Senegal, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Syria, Turkmenistan, Iraq, Hungary, Greece, Sweden, Kenya, Bulgaria, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of South Africa, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, the Republic of Chad, Cameroon, Morocco, Croatia, Romania, Russia, Germany, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Kazakhstan, Libya, France, Poland, the UK, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Indonesia, Austria, Palestine, Pakistan, and Kuwait.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's article, disseminated across over 250 global platforms, sparked significant interest among the foreign press and public. In addition to Turkish, the article was published in 24 languages: English, Italian, Arabic, French, German, Korean, Hausa (Nigeria), Kyrgyz, Azerbaijani, Russian, Turkmen, Hungarian, Greek, Swedish, Swahili (Kenya), Bulgarian, Chinese, Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian, Uzbek, Kazakh, and Polish. It appeared not only in leading newspapers around the world but also in magazines, news portals, television news channels, and on the social media accounts of media organisations.
In his article, President Erdoğan described the treacherous coup attempt that took place ten years ago as one of the most brutal coup attempts in Türkiye’s political history, stressing that the Turkish nation’s heroic resistance on the night of 15 July and in its aftermath is unprecedented in the history of world democracy. Underscoring that he had never recognised any power greater than that of the people, President Erdoğan stated that, by risking their lives to defend the independence of their country, its democratic achievements, and its free will, the Turkish nation repelled the putschists and inscribed an epic of national will that shall be remembered with pride for generations to come.
Inspired by the brave stance of the nation, President Erdoğan noted that swift action had been taken to eliminate the negative consequences of the treacherous insurrection, stating: “We promptly introduced comprehensive structural reforms to eliminate from all state institutions any anti-democratic formations that could threaten democratic governance through extra-political means. We subsequently attained critical achievements through operations conducted both at home and abroad as part of our strategy to eliminate the other terrorist organisations we have been combating. Ultimately, we launched the Terror-Free Türkiye initiative, marking a new chapter in our nation’s story of unity and solidarity. This process, one of the essential cornerstones of our 'Century of Türkiye' vision, is advancing firmly with an all-encompassing and inclusive approach through the diligence of our security forces and the support of the political establishment. I believe the success of the ‘Terror-free Türkiye’ process will contribute not only to the peace and tranquillity of our country but also to that of our region.
President Erdoğan also underscored that, in response to the coup attempt, which also targeted Türkiye’s economic prosperity and development, the country had taken significant steps towards a more prosperous future across a wide range of sectors, from energy and transport to healthcare, agriculture, technology, and defence. Highlighting the achievements made under the National Technology Move over the past decade, President Erdoğan stated: “We have made significant strides in the defence, aviation, and space industries over the past decade. We have developed electric and smart transport systems, and through substantial investment in the health and agriculture sectors, we have strived to live up to the sacrifices of our people. During this process, we have also developed our brand products, which have gained worldwide recognition. Among these, our electric automobile, the TOGG; our national fighter aircraft, the KAAN; our national corvettes; and our unmanned aerial vehicles are the first that spring to mind.”
Recalling that Türkiye has emerged as an effective actor in resolving regional and global crises and conflicts over the past decade through its enterprising foreign policy approach, President Erdoğan stated: “Wherever there is oppression or injustice, we have been the voice of international law, justice, and conscience. If Türkiye is now regarded as a country whose contribution is sought, whose word carries weight, and who is consulted on regional and global matters, behind this success lies the will of our august nation, who stood up for their independence and future at the cost of their lives on the night of 15 July.”
Emphasising that the fight against terrorism, in which international cooperation is essential, will remain high on the foreign policy agenda, President Erdoğan stated:
“As is well known, the process of internal disintegration within FETO’s overseas network has accelerated over the past two years. That said, we are aware that some countries are covertly providing support to this organisation and are harbouring its members. I would like to take this opportunity to underscore the necessity of maintaining vigilance against FETO, which considers all means permissible to achieve its ambitions, adopts every possible guise, and does not hesitate to exploit every concept, including democracy, freedom, and human rights. As a nation that saw 253 of its sons and daughters martyred by the putschists on the night of 15 July, our primary expectation from the global community is to support Türkiye’s legitimate struggle. Global peace, security, and prosperity can only be achieved through a resolute and uncompromising fight against terrorist organisations without any distinction and through sincere cooperation."