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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the Republic of Turkey, the shared work and shelter of the nation's 86 million people, continues to move from one success to another with gains made in every field. He spoke at an official dinner hosted with his wife Emine Erdoğan for visiting state and government heads attending Republic Day and the Organization of Turkic States summit.

The event at the Beştepe Exhibition Hall in Ankara also saw the presentation of the Turkish World Ali Order to Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov and the 2026 Ali Shir Nava'i International Award to former TURKSOY Secretary General Dussen Kaseinov.

Republic Day dinner brings Turkic leaders together

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his wife Emine Erdoğan hosted an official dinner at the Beştepe Exhibition Hall in honor of the visiting state and government heads and their delegations, who are in Turkey for Republic Day on 29 October and the summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS).

In his remarks, Erdoğan greeted the guests with respect and affection and sent his greetings to kinsmen across the Turkic republics, saying Turkey has always shared their joys and sorrows. He congratulated all citizens on Republic Day and remembered with gratitude Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic, along with the cadres who led the National Struggle, the martyrs, the veterans and the members of the Grand National Assembly of that era.

Erdoğan said the 103rd anniversary of the Republic is being marked in a very different way this year, since Republic Day is being celebrated alongside brothers and sisters from what he called the "Family Assembly" of the Organization of Turkic States. He thanked Kazakh President Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Japarov, Uzbek President Mirziyoyev, Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov, President Erhürman of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Bayramov, along with their delegations, for joining the celebrations during the organization's 13th summit.

Erdoğan vows to keep raising Turkey's standing

Erdoğan recalled that the Republic was proclaimed 103 years ago on the ideal of being "a refuge for the shelterless," and said it was born as a beacon of hope both for the nation and for oppressed peoples around the world. "Thank God. In the 103 years that have passed, our Republic did not only fulfill its founding ideals, it also took root in hearts," he said.

He added: "The Republic of Turkey, the shared work and shared shelter of 86 million people, continues to move from one success to another with the major gains it has achieved in every field." Erdoğan pledged to work with all their strength to lift Turkey above the level of contemporary civilizations, noting the heavy price the nation paid to establish the Republic under difficult conditions. He said Turkey is determined to remove those who try to stand in the way of its goals, just as the founding will of the Republic drove back occupying forces 103 years ago.

Turning to the Turkic republics, Erdoğan said the brotherly states sharing the same faith, culture and ideals have recorded major achievements despite difficulties as they mark the 35th anniversary of their independence. "I sincerely believe that we, as the Turkic world, will walk toward our future together in full solidarity, with mutual respect and brotherhood, and that we will strive to make the coming period a Turkic century," he said.

Japarov and Kaseinov receive awards

Erdoğan singled out Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov for recognition by the Turkic leaders, saying Japarov contributed to deepening cooperation in trade, transport and technology and helped safeguard shared cultural heritage. He said Japarov made an important contribution to the Turkic World Charter adopted in Bishkek in 2024 and to the new flag of the "Family Assembly."

Erdoğan said the Turkic leaders were honored to confer the Turkish World Ali Order on Japarov, expressing confidence that he would carry it proudly as a strong symbol of their lasting and unshakeable brotherhood. The award was presented after the speech at the ceremony held at the Malazgirt Performance Center in the Presidential Complex.

Erdoğan also announced the Ali Shir Nava'i International Award, created for those who contribute to the scholarly and cultural presence of the Turkic world. The commission selected Kaseinov of Kazakhstan, described as an artist, academic and diplomat, who served as TURKSOY Secretary General from 2008 to 2022. Erdoğan presented the 2026 award on behalf of the Organization of Turkic States.

Erdoğan closed by thanking the guests for sharing the Republic Day celebrations, saying: "May your 29 October Republic Day be blessed. May the unity and togetherness of the Turkic states be everlasting."

Japarov pledges deeper Turkic solidarity

Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov said at the award ceremony that receiving the high honor was a source of great pride, and that it recognized not only Japarov personally but also the contribution of the Kyrgyz people to the unity of the Turkic world.

"What unites us is our culture and brotherhood, which reach back through the centuries. It is our duty to pass our priceless values from our ancestors to future generations," Japarov said. Japarov thanked the Turkic leaders for the award and said: "I think the unity of the Turkic world will grow even stronger from now on." Japarov wished lasting solidarity among the Turkic peoples and said cooperation would continue.

Key takeaways

• President Erdoğan hosted an official dinner in Ankara for visiting state and government heads attending Republic Day and the OTS summit.
• Erdoğan said the Republic of Turkey, shared by 86 million people, keeps notching successes in every field and marked its 103rd anniversary.
• Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov received the Turkish World Ali Order for contributions to Turkic cooperation.
• The 2026 Ali Shir Nava'i International Award went to former TURKSOY Secretary General Dussen Kaseinov.