Her Excellency Jan Henderson,

Ms Consul General Natalie Grant,

Distinguished Guests,

It is a great honour for me to be here with you on this very meaningful dayto remember and commemorate all fallen soldiers in Gallipoli, not only as a Consul General of Turkey in Geneva, but also as a descendant of a family from the region of Dardanelles who lost all their sons, except my great-grandfather, during the Gallipoli battle.

104 years ago, this morning resonated the first shots fired between Turk and ANZAC soldiers. The following days, weeks and months witnessed what is today widely accepted as “the last gentlemen’s war” where both sides showed remarkable heroism, gallantry and mutual respect. As they had never encountered before, neither the ANZAC nor the Mehmets had any feeling of animosity towards each other. Yet unfortunate circumstances brought them together in narrow and harsh fighting land.

After more than a century, when I look at this distinguished audience today, I am honoured and touched to be with friends and colleagues, from Australia and New Zealand, and to stand side by side for a common cause: to pay our respects to our grandfathers.

What I am even more pleased to affirm is that our nations have been so much successful in transforming that artificial animosity in Gallipoli into a unique and remarkable friendship, which indeed proves once again that peace trumps war, reconciliation prevails conflict.

Aware of the deep roots of our friendship, and guided by our enduring objective to achieve “Peace at Home, Peace in the World” as set out by the founder of our Republic Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, we will continue to remember and reminisce the cherished memories of our beloved ancestors who lost their lives for their countries.

May their souls rest in peace.