CANAKKALE - Culture Minister Erkan Mumcu said on Thursday that Canakkale Battles was one of the most important wars of near past.
An international ceremony was held in monument of martyrs in Gelibolu peninsula on the occasion of 88th anniversary of Canakkale Battles.
Culture Minister Mumcu, New Zealander General Governor Silvia Cartwright, Australian Treasurer Peter Costello and other officials attended the ceremony.
Wreaths were laid on the monument on behalf of Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, France, Canada, Germany, India, South Africa and Ireland.
Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Mumcu said that Canakkale Battles which yielded very significant results at international level prepared conditions of Turkish National Independence War.
Mumcu said that Canakkale Battles was one of the most important wars of near past and stated that Canakkale Battles had affected course of history and caused very important changes in Balkans, Caucasia and Central Asia.
Stating that Gelibolu peninsula where important wars took place was announced as ''Peace Park'' by a law on Thursday, Mumcu said that Turkish nation always exerted efforts for settlement of peace on those territories under the principle of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, ''Peace at Home, Peace in the World.''
Cartwright said that only a soldier could comprehend tragedy of war, adding that all countries which were represented here and which came together due to a tragic clash and common memories, had been inflicted wounds by Canakkale Battles. He stated that people felt sorrow over young people who had died in battle zone in Canakkale.
Stating that Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who was a general and a major leader, talked about peace and made old enemies friends, Cartwright said that Ataturk's wisdom and compassion became foundation of modern relations among countries.
Costello said that over one million soldiers from 16 nations fought on those territories during Canakkale Battles.
(EÖ-AÖ) 24.04.2003