Erdogan: "The republic will survive and prosper through service, not empty promises or conflict"

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ankara Greater Municipality Mayor Melih Gokcek yesterday inaugurated 13 new traffic underpasses in the capital. Also attending the grand opening were Deputy Prime Ministers Cemil Cicek and Hayati Yazici, Interior Minister Besir Atalay, and State Ministers Murat Basesgioglu, Faruk Nafiz Ozak and Faruk Celik. Speaking at the inauguration, Erdogan said that Turkey had been reborn under Ataturk's leadership during the War of Independence, when some mistakenly believed that the nation was finished. Addressing a number of recent terrorist attacks, Erdogan stated, "Look at our nation's history: At difficult times when hope was fading, we taught our enemies a lesson by standing together." Adding that Turkey can survive and prosper only through service, not empty promises or conflict, he said, "Our republic can advance to higher levels by working, improving our cities and countryside, and raising Turkey's dignity and prestige."