On the 88th anniversary of the birth of the Republic of Turkey, we remember with great respect our founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, as well as our fallen soldiers and veterans who fought for Turkey’s independence and bequeathed to us a sovereign, modern and prosperous nation. Through their brave and selfless efforts, Turkey, with its vibrant democracy and flourishing economy, has become an inspiration for its region and beyond. As we remember those responsible for our strong country today, also in our hearts on this day are the innocent and courageous lives that were lost as a result of the recent PKK terrorist attacks and the earthquake in Van.