Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Front) attends a ceremony marking Aug. 30 Victory Day at the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara, Türkiye, on Aug. 30, 2023. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted on Wednesday the importance of increasing military deterrence for Türkiye to build itself into a powerful country. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
ANKARA, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted on Wednesday the importance of increasing military deterrence for Türkiye to build itself into a powerful country.
He made the remarks at a ceremony to celebrate Aug. 30 Victory Day at the Army War College in Ankara.
"We know very well from our bitter experiences that there cannot be a strong Türkiye without a strong army," Erdogan said, stressing that ensuring military deterrence is a necessity for Türkiye rather than a choice.
The president said Türkiye has been elevated to the "top league" in terms of military capabilities, noting that the country has taken "many historical steps" to strengthen the military.
In a separate statement, he vowed to further strengthen the country's national power with forthcoming government-proposed initiatives.
Türkiye celebrates Victory Day to mark the decisive victory of the country's independence war on Aug. 30, 1922, which led to the foundation of the Republic of Türkiye a year later. ■
Turkish soldiers march during a parade to celebrate Aug. 30 Victory Day in Ankara, Türkiye, on Aug. 30, 2023. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted on Wednesday the importance of increasing military deterrence for Türkiye to build itself into a powerful country. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C, Front) attends a ceremony marking Aug. 30 Victory Day at the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara, Türkiye, on Aug. 30, 2023. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted on Wednesday the importance of increasing military deterrence for Türkiye to build itself into a powerful country. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Turkish soldiers visit the Ataturk Mausoleum on Aug. 30 Victory Day in Ankara, Türkiye, on Aug. 30, 2023. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted on Wednesday the importance of increasing military deterrence for Türkiye to build itself into a powerful country. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
Turkish soldiers march during a parade to celebrate Aug. 30 Victory Day in Ankara, Türkiye, on Aug. 30, 2023. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted on Wednesday the importance of increasing military deterrence for Türkiye to build itself into a powerful country. (Photo by Mustafa Kaya/Xinhua)
