The entire Turkish nation as well as Turkish Americans and American friends of Turkey are celebrating with immense joy and pride yet another important landmark in the history of Turkey: the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Republic. Indeed, three quarters of a century ago, the Turkish Republic emerged out of the ashes of a disintegrating Empire to take its rightful place among the family of democratic countries. Through the visionary and able leadership of Ataturk coupled with the steadfast determination and perseverance of the Turkish people, the nation constructed an unshakable foundation dedicated to secular democracy, individual freedoms and liberties and economic prosperity. During the following decades, Turkey continuously built upon this foundation, undergoing a constant ,and still ongoing, process of transformation, evolution and consolidation.
Today, when we look back we can be proud of the strides we have made and the many accomplishments we have achieved. Indeed, we are a strong bastion of pluralistic democracy and secularism as well as a successful model of a liberal, free-market economy in a region which is in search of these foundation stones. We have an independent parliament, judiciary and executive authority, all accountable to the people. The Turkish media establishment is one of the most free and vocal in Europe. We are the world's 17th largest economy and, in fact, have been declared as one of the ten "Big Emerging Markets." An extremely successful private sector, high economic growth rate, ongoing privatization efforts in lucrative industries, and young and skilled workers attract foreign investors to do business in Turkey. Moreover, given our unique geographic location at the crossroads of continents, we can serve --and are serving-- as the regional corporate headquarters for US and European business operations and joint ventures beyond our borders.
Similarly, our relations with our key NATO partner, the United States, have undergone a substantial transformation over the years. The defense and security-oriented relations have now expanded and diversified to include closer ties in the economic, commercial, energy, cultural, and academic spheres as well. As Turkey's role and strategic significance in its region grow, we attach utmost importance to the further strengthening and intensification of cooperation between Turkey and the United States in a wide spectrum of areas of common interest.
As Turks, as members of the Turkish-American community and as American friends of Turkey, all of you play a significant role in this endeavor. You constitute a bridge of friendship between our two countries and peoples. Turkish-Americans have been and remain to be true representatives of Turkey in the United States, and they have been able to reflect with great success Turkey's achievements and vast potential to our American friends.
On the other hand, it is no secret that there are certain circles and lobbies that try to distort and misrepresent facts about Turkey and strive to undermine the bonds of friendship between Turkey and the US. The Turkish-Americans and the American friends of Turkey, working hand-in-hand, are determined to prevent these elements from misleading the American public and they have been successful in putting the record straight. Yet, all of us have to remain vigilant and proactive against this defamation campaign.
As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Turkish Republic, it is very reassuring for me to know that there are countless honorary Ambassadors of Turkey working alongside me to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between the Turkish and American nations and to further expand and intensify the cooperation between our two countries. I thank you all for your valuable efforts and support.