On Monday, Turkey’s president commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne, the historic 1923 treaty that established the current Turkish state.
“Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, which was a watershed moment in our history,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a statement.
“During the negotiation and signing of the Lausanne Peace Treaty, our honourable nation’s will for full independence was very strong.” Despite all the poverty and impossibilities, the will that led to our triumph in the War of Independence still leads us, lights our way, and gives us the will to strive in the face of adversity.”
Türkiye would continue to work to provide peace, stability, and security to the area, he said.
“While resolutely defending the rights we have gained through the Treaty of Lausanne, we will strengthen our country’s gains with new moves,” he continued.
Erdogan also paid tribute to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the creator of the Turkish Republic, as well as his comrades, martyrs, and veterans.
The Treaty of Lausanne, signed by Turkey on one side and the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Greece, and their allies on the other, recognised the modern Turkish state and superseded the 1920 Treaty of Sevres, an unjust treaty forced on the Ottoman Empire following World War I.