Dear members of the Australian and New Zealand communities,
Distinguished Colleagues,

On this solemn occasion of the ANZAC Day, we are all here to commemorate the valor and sacrifice of those who fought in the Gallipoli Campaign (or as we call it the Battle of Çanakkale) a pivotal moment in history that forged a timeless bond of friendship between our nations.

As a Turkish diplomat, I stand before you today with a profound sense of respect and reverence for the courage displayed by the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who landed on our shores 109 years ago.

I believe the very core of the ANZAC Day is not just about commemorating a military campaign, but essentially remembering and honoring a legacy.

Remembering and honoring the resilience and determination of those who fought, regardless of their nationality.

Remembering and honoring the spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect emerged between enemies turned friends.

And remembering and honoring the spirit of friendship and reconciliation that arose from the savageries of war.

Through the shared experience of hardship and loss, our nations came to understand the importance of peace and cooperation. As we stand here today, Australians, New Zealanders, and Turks, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering understanding and goodwill among nations.

We are honoring the memories of those who fought and perished on the shores of Gallipoli and through their legacy reminded us all that the wars can not only bring out the worst but also the best in men.

In closing, I would like to share the heartfelt words of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder and the spiritual guide of our Republic, who addressed the grieving mothers of the ANZAC soldiers in 1934:

"Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore, rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours... You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land, they have become our sons as well."

May their memories be eternal.