President Erdoğan: 'A Strong Turkey Now Rules the Game, Not Plays It'

A Stronger Turkey with Strategic Power
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at an iftar program with martyrs' families at Dolmabahçe Palace, underscoring the blessings of Ramadan and highlighting the importance of sharing the first iftar with the families of those who have sacrificed their lives for the nation.

Turkey Overcomes Challenges
In his speech, Erdoğan drew attention to Turkey's significant progress in military and security sectors, emphasizing that the sacrifices of security forces ensure the country's tranquility. "Turkey has overcome the challenges of the past, and today we have a strong Turkey that can respond effectively to threats from coup plotters, terrorist organizations, and imperialist proxies," Erdoğan stated.

Unwavering Determination in Counterterrorism
Reaffirming Turkey's unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism, Erdoğan stated, "It is unbefitting of Turkey to ignore the opportunity to resolve a problem that has cost our people dearly for 40 years, both in human and economic terms." He added, "Turkey is not just one of the most powerful and capable countries in our region, but in the world."

Turkey as a Global Power
Erdoğan also highlighted Turkey’s transformation into a global power, saying, "Turkey is no longer a country that merely participates in the game; we are now a country that shapes the rules of the game." He noted that Turkey's per capita national income has surpassed $15,000, marking significant economic progress.

Independence in Defense Industry
Discussing advancements in Turkey’s defense sector, Erdoğan proudly declared, "We have evolved from a country that couldn’t produce its own rifles to one that manufactures drones, tanks, missiles, and helicopters independently."

Approaching a Terror-Free Turkey
Erdoğan also emphasized the country’s progress in the fight against terrorism, pointing to major successes in the last decade. He acknowledged the exceptional operations carried out by Turkish security forces, which have set new standards globally. "Every step we take is for the future of Turkey," Erdoğan said, reaffirming the continuation of cross-border operations to ensure national security.

Future of a United Turkey
Finally, Erdoğan expressed confidence in achieving a terror-free Turkey. "When we realize our goal of a terrorism-free Turkey, no one will be able to stop this country. The winner will be all 85 million citizens, our economy, and our brotherhood," Erdoğan concluded.