Every year, on April 25, a “Dawn Service” is held at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula as part of the Çanakkale Land Wars commemoration ceremonies. Historical documents reveal that the Ottoman Empire, before the Republic, took care of the graves of Australian and New Zealand soldiers in this region, which is known to the public for the message that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk sent to Anzac mothers in 1934, “You should be side by side with the Mehmetçiks. Mothers who send their children to war from distant lands! Stop your tears. Your children are in our bosom.”

THEY SURROUNDED THE GRAVES WHILE WITHDRAWING
When the British and French left the Gallipoli Peninsula, they surrounded the cemeteries and some monuments created during the war with stones, thorns, bushes and trees. In 1916, through the neutral US Embassy, ​​England conveyed its request for the protection of soldiers’ graves in Gallipoli to the Ottoman authorities. Upon request, the Ottoman General Staff instructed the 5th Army Command to ensure the protection of foreign soldiers’ graves and their burial procedures.

1-Foreign Graves in the Gallipoli Peninsula

ENVER BEY’S EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL SECURITY SENSITIVITY

Minister of War and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Enver Pasha, in his assessment in March 1916, warned that political and military purposes could be pursued through cemeteries.

POPULAR REPRESENTATIVE RECORDED THAT THE OTTOMAN PROTECTED FOREIGN TOMBS

In the report prepared by the Papal Representative Monseigneur Dolci, it was noted that the foreign graves in Gallipoli were largely protected, the destroyed ones were repaired and the necessary precautions were taken by the Ottoman administration.

Anzac Graves on the Gallipoli Peninsula

Anzac Bay in Çanakkale is known for the message that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk sent to the mothers of Anzac (Australian and New Zealand Corps) soldiers in 1934: “You are sheep, side by side with the Mehmetçiks. Mothers who send their children to war from distant lands! Stop your tears. Your children are in our bosom.” Every year, on April 25, a “Dawn Service” is held at Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli Peninsula as part of the Çanakkale Land Wars commemoration ceremonies. The rulers and people of both countries are grateful to Türkiye and the Republic for the care shown to the Anzac graves and the opportunities provided for the ceremonies. However, the Ottoman Empire is missing in the “thank you” section. Because historical documents reveal that the Ottoman Empire claimed the graves of Australian and New Zealand soldiers before the Republic.

Pope Benedict XV in 1915-1922

The Battle of Gallipoli is known as a set of front battles that took place between the Ottoman Empire and the Allied Powers in 1915, with sea and land operations on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and resulted in the definitive defensive success of the Ottoman Empire. This war prevented the occupation of Istanbul, changed the course of the war and played a decisive role in Mustafa Kemal’s rise to prominence as a military leader. While Türkiye commemorates its heroes on March 18, Çanakkale Victory and Martyrs’ Memorial Day, the Anzacs commemorate their losses with the “dawn service” on April 25.

HE WAS BURIED IN MASS GRAVES: Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Faculty Member Dr. According to Mithat Atabay’s research, the Allied Powers buried their soldiers who lost their lives in certain areas while the war was still going on in the Gallipoli Peninsula. The bodies of many soldiers were buried in mass graves due to the weather conditions and the brutality of war. When the British and French left the Gallipoli Peninsula, they surrounded the cemeteries and some monuments created during the war with stones, thorns, bushes and trees.

Graves of Anzacs who died on 19 May 1915

THE BRITISH ARE MAKING A REQUEST FROM THE OTTOMAN THROUGH THE NEUTRAL USA: Dr. According to Atabay’s findings, in 1916, the British requested that the Turks show the necessary respect and protection to the graves of their soldiers who lost their lives in the Gallipoli Peninsula, through the USA, which was a neutral state and mediated the humanitarian requests of the states that the Ottomans fought with. Upon this request, the Ottoman General Staff gave the necessary instructions regarding this issue to the 5th Army Command in the region. Minister of War and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Enver Pasha, in his response to the issue in March 1916, stated that the graves on the Gallipoli Peninsula, especially those within the Ottoman defense system, would be moved further back, even if they belonged to the Ottomans, due to the health of the soldiers and the necessity of the fortifications.

Angelo Dolci 1915-1922 Papal Representative in Istanbul

ENVER PASHA’S WORRY: Dr. According to the information Mithat Atabay gave to SABAH, according to Enver Pasha, the British and French would want to visit these cemeteries constantly, using them as an excuse, and they would want to keep the Ottoman Government constantly busy by building monuments and cemeteries covering large and wide areas. Enver Pasha openly stated that the British and French would exploit human emotions, and he would underline that the way to do this was the cemeteries and monuments of foreign soldiers in the region.

Nithat Atabay

INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN TO THE FIFTH ARMY

The Ottoman Empire gave the necessary instructions to the 5th Army to prevent any damage to both its own martyrs’ cemeteries and monuments and foreign cemeteries and monuments in Gallipoli, and ensured that the bodies of soldiers who were exposed or could not be buried due to rain, floods and other natural reasons were buried with a unit of two hundred people.

ALLOWED FOR THE PAPAL REPRESENTATIVE TO VISIT THE BATTLE FIELDS IN GALLIBOLI: Dr. According to Atabay, he allowed Papal Representative Monseigneur Dolci to tour the battlefields in Gallipoli in order to alleviate concerns about the issue. In his report prepared after his investigations in the Gallipoli Peninsula, Dolci stated that the wooden crosses erected in foreign graves were dismantled, burned and destroyed by soldiers and civilians in cold weather.

“POSITIVE” REPORT FROM DOLCİ: Dolci, who noted the above issues, reported that despite these findings, the graves were generally intact, that the Ottoman Empire took the necessary precautions to eliminate such negativities, that the destroyed graves were maintained and surrounded by barbed wire, and that stones were placed in the graves whose cross signs were missing. He even informed the Pope that he could allow the Ottoman authorities to transfer some graves of foreigners to their country if an application was made.

Papacy: OTTOMAN IS RECORDING THE NECESSARY CARE AND PROTECTION: In the statement made by the Papacy, it was noted that there was no situation to worry about. The statement also noted that the Ottoman Empire showed the necessary care and protection to the cemeteries on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

On the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the Çanakkale Land Wars, a commemoration ceremony was held at the Martyrs’ Monument with the participation of representatives from many countries as well as Türkiye. The ceremony in the monument area started with Çanakkale Governor Ömer Toraman laying a wreath with a star and crescent motif on the Atatürk Monument. After a moment of silence and a firing of respect by the guard of honor, the program continued with the raising of the Turkish flag accompanied by the National Anthem. In his speech, Çanakkale Governor Toraman said that they came together here today not only to commemorate a military struggle, but also to keep alive the memory of a period that left deep traces in human history, and to commemorate the sacrifices and pain of those days with a common understanding. Toraman stated that while Çanakkale most clearly reveals the destructiveness of war and its heavy cost on human life, it is also a historical scene where courage, sacrifice and human dignity are most strongly manifested.

GLORIOUS HOMELAND DEFENSE
Ministry of Culture and Tourism Çanakkale Wars Gallipoli Historical Area Head İsmail Kaşdemir reminded that the Çanakkale Land Battles were a rare battle in world history and stated that the Turkish nation defended its great and glorious homeland in Çanakkale and was successful and won a very clear and justified victory.

Stating that these lands, where the ceremony was held, witnessed great pain and tears, Kaşdemir said: “One of the biggest and toughest wars in human history took place in these lands. These lands, which witnessed great suffering 111 years ago, have now become the land of peace and tranquility. The Historical Area, the world’s best-preserved battlefield and the world’s largest open-air museum, hosts millions of visitors every year.”

THEY FLYED FOR THE MARTYRS
At the commemoration ceremony, Quran recitation was performed and prayers were made for the soldiers martyred in Çanakkale. After the Janissary Band performance, the 57th Infantry Regiment and foreign soldiers, veterans and scouts made a ceremonial parade. Protocol members then went to the area established on the sea side of the Martyrs’ Monument and watched the show of the Turkish Air Force’s show team, Turkish Stars, over the Dardanelles.

A packaging company operating in Istanbul Büyükçekmece was shaken by the shock of fraud. It was revealed that the company’s finance director HY, who has been an employee for 20 years, defrauded the company of 211 million lira through the shell company he established.

COUNSELING GAME
The investigation, which started with the notice of General Manager LB, who applied to the Büyükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, revealed an incredible profiteering plan. Finance director HY had a female colleague working in the same company establish a consultancy company on paper. Starting from the beginning of 2024, millions of liras of money began to be transferred from the main company to this shell company under the name of “consultancy service”. Allegedly, after a while, HY took over 2/3 of the consultancy company he founded. When the company’s accountant noticed the situation, HY and his accomplices included the accountant in the plan. It was determined that the accountant, who received a salary of 80 thousand TL from his own company, was given a monthly salary of 200 thousand TL from the shell company as hush money. In the studies carried out, it was determined that the suspects transferred 211 million lira to the company they established in order to defraud the company they worked for. While the Public Security Branch Directorate teams were deciphering the heist, they found that the shell company was not working with any other company and that no money was entering its account from another company. The suspects were detained. The suspects, who were later referred to the courthouse, were arrested by the court.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the Formula 1 Turkish Grand Prix Promotion Program held at the Presidential Dolmabahçe Working Office. Stating that Formula 1 is among the world’s largest sports organizations with its viewing pleasure, young followers and pioneering in automobile technologies, Erdoğan said:

WE HOSTED IT 9 TIMES: In our country, Formula 1 has a significant number of followers and even enthusiasts from all ages, especially our young people. While the races reach around 19 million people in our country, they are closely followed by approximately 7.5 million followers on social media. We hosted Formula 1 a total of 9 times, including 7 races between 2005-2011 and 2 races in 2020 and 2021 during the Covid period. The first race in 2005 broke the record in the history of our Republic with more than 110 thousand spectators in the stands alone. Legendary races, unforgettable events and hard-to-break records, Istanbul

It engraved the Park in memories as one of the most popular tracks of Formula 1.

When we look at Türkiye’s history full of success, I believe that returning to Formula 1 from 2027 will add great value to the championship. Istanbul Park, which is a favorite of racing fans especially with its eighth corner, will hopefully host eye-catching, exciting and enjoyable races for five periods between 2027-2031.

A SIGN OF TRUST IN Türkiye: Türkiye’s re-inclusion in the Formula 1 calendar; I see it as a new sign of great confidence in our country’s strong organizational ability, modern sports and health infrastructure, its deep maintenance of its region’s role as an island of stability in recent years, and of course the hospitality of the Turkish nation. As Türkiye, we will not disappoint this trust as before and will host the races with a perfect organization in every respect. I wholeheartedly congratulate everyone who contributed to bringing Formula 1 to our country and Istanbul. I hope that Türkiye, a motor sports country, will continue to grow stronger with Formula 1 in the coming years.

FORMULA 1 VEHICLE TOURED IN THE STREETS OF ISTANBUL
With the start given by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Formula 1 car took to the streets of Istanbul. Departing from Galataport, the vehicle traveled along the European side of the Bosphorus, between Karaköy and Beşiktaş, and reached the Presidential Office in Dolmabahçe. The F1 car’s journey in Istanbul was broadcast live by national and international media.

‘WITH YOUR VISION, WE BROUGHT THIS SPORT TO ISTANBUL’
Formula 1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali said, “Mr. President, we brought this sport here with your vision. I thank you all and I also thank you for following Formula 1. We are very happy that a sport with millions of fans is coming to Istanbul again. We will enjoy this country and this city as well.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the “Türkiye Century Strong Center for Investment Program” at Dolmabahçe Working Office. Erdoğan said the following in his speech here:

KEYSTONE OF STABILITY: Our region and the world economy are experiencing the most turbulent and uncertain days of recent times. Almost everyone, especially our business and economic circles, is trying to find their way and direction among a dense cloud of fog, while following the changing atmosphere every other day. By successfully managing the biggest security crisis of recent years, Türkiye has once again confirmed and registered that its region is an island of stability. This process, which has reshaped the global economic order and value chains, has made our country the keystone of global economic stability. We are determined to make Türkiye a global center of attraction. We will take our country’s attractiveness even further with the comprehensive regulation that we will soon submit to our Parliament.

TAX ADVANTAGE: With the regulations we will make, we are expanding the tax advantage provided to institutions operating in the Istanbul Financial Center. We are increasing the current 50 percent discount rate to 100 percent on earnings obtained from transit trade or intermediary activities for the purchase and sale of goods abroad. Thus, we will not collect corporate tax on the profits obtained from the activities in question. We exclude 95 percent of the earnings of those who engage in transit trade activities outside the Istanbul Financial Center from tax. Another priority is to encourage global companies to move their regional headquarters to Türkiye. We provide a strong tax advantage to the profits these companies generate by conducting their foreign operations from Türkiye.

ONE STOP OFFICE: Another important step of ours is to carry out large-scale and qualified international direct investments from a single center. In other words, it is a “one stop office” application. With this application, we are establishing a fast and digitally supported investor-friendly structure where investment processes are simplified.

RADICAL STEP: We were applying our general corporate tax rate of 25 percent with a 5 point discount to exporters and an additional 1 point discount to manufacturers. Now we are taking a more radical step and reducing this tax to 9 percent, especially for our manufacturing exporters. We are also reducing it to 14 percent for our other exporting institutions. Another issue that is as critical as exports is the incentives that bring foreign currency to our country.

PRIVILEGES FOR THOSE RETURNING HOME: If people living abroad and who have not been taxpayers in our country in the last three years come to our country, we will not be taxed in Türkiye for their foreign income and earnings for 20 years. Only their in-country income, if any, will be taxed. In Türkiye, we will apply the inheritance tax for these people as 1 percent. We are also implementing regulations that will bring the assets of our citizens and companies abroad to our economy. In this context, we enable money, gold and securities located abroad to be brought to Türkiye with a low tax within a certain period of time. We encourage our entrepreneurs who have established a company abroad or become partners in an established company to bring their earnings to our country. We allow all earnings to be tax deducted.