Turkish president marks 98th anniversary of Lausanne Treaty

By Baris Gundogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey's president on Saturday marked the 98th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Lausanne, a landmark pact recognizing the modern Turkish state.

"Our heroic nation's struggle for independence, crowned with victory despite all manner of impossibilities and difficulties, was confirmed in the international arena with the Treaty of Lausanne," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a statement, according to Turkey's Communications Directorate.

The Treaty of Lausanne, signed by Turkey on one side and Britain, France, Italy, Greece, and their allies on the other in 1923, recognized the modern Turkish state and replaced the 1920 Treaty of Sevres, an unfair pact imposed on the Ottoman Empire after World War I.

"We are determined to enter 2023, when we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of our republic, as a stronger, more independent, and more prosperous country economically, militarily, politically, and diplomatically," Erdogan added.

"We continue to thwart the treacherous ambitions against our country's unity and integrity, and the peace, and wellbeing of our nation," he stressed.

He went on to say the "critical successes" Turkey has achieved in different fields, from Syria to Libya to the Eastern Mediterranean, to the fight against terrorism, are the "clearest indication of our will to protect the rights and interests of our country."

Turkey will not bow down to "the language of threats, intimidation, and blackmail" of "certain circles" in any of these areas of struggle, and will continue to defend its rights stemming from international law, he added.

Erdogan also commemorated Turkey’s founding father, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and other Turkish veterans and martyrs with respect and gratitude.