President Abdullah Gül said in a message that May 19 has become the symbol of national progress.
President Gül’s message reads as follows: "Never having conceded on the will to live free and independent, our nation has never accepted the conditions forced upon us; and we have proved this once again with our unique struggle in the War of Independence."
"Turkey continues the march on its path with all its organizations and a strong vision of future. The ultimate goal of all these efforts is to increase the standards of our democracy, the improve the prosperity of the nation and to give our children a peaceful future."
Referring to the Turkish youth, President Gül said "You have to know the past very well, take lessons out of it, but look towards a bright future without chains to the past."