30 December 2016•Update: 03 January 2017
ANKARA
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey’s “strong memory” will see it through a year of troubles seen in 2016.
Writing in the Turkish daily Sabah on Friday, Erdogan said the country’s “long-established state history” had witnessed several betrayals from within and without.
The Turkish leader compared recent incidents, including the 2013 Gezi protests, the 2013 December judiciary-police coup attempt and the renewed PKK terror campaign.
“The July 15 coup bid is the biggest sellout we have seen recently,” he wrote. The main objective of those who pointed "the people's guns against the people” was to end the vision of a “great and strong Turkey”.
Drawing on recent bomb attacks in Turkey, Erdogan wrote the purpose of the violence at home and abroad was to divert Turkey's focus from its 2023 targets.
As part of Turkey's 2023 vision, which marks the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey, the country has set specific targets and major improvements in its economic activity, energy, health care and transport sectors.
“Despite terror, an armed coup attempt and the pitfalls of economic crises, Turkey will continue its progress towards its 2023 vision, step-by-step,” Erdogan asserted.
