Turkey is “opening sails” towards its second century, the president said tonight Recep Tayyip Erdoganon the occasion of the completion of a century since the establishment of the Turkish Republic.

In his speech on this anniversary, Erdogan announced that the most important goal of his country for the coming years will be the amendment of the Constitution. “The Republic of Turkey, which we proclaimed on October 29, 1923, completes a century today and sets sail for its second century, which we call the Century of Turkey,” he added.

As the founder of modern Turkey wished, Mr Kemal Ataturk, his country today acts as a watchdog for the abandoned in this region and the world, he added. Turkey is “rushing to the aid of those in need, from the Caucasus to Asia, from Turkestan to Palestine,” he added.

Referring to the conflict in Middle East, Erdogan said Turkey maintains a strong stance in favor of Palestine and Gaza. He stressed that “no imperialist power” will succeed in preventing Turkey from becoming a “happy, successful and victorious country”.

The Turkish president also referred to a new agreement with Spain to purchase a second aircraft carrier, an upgraded version of the TCG Anadolu.

The first Turkish aircraft carrier, the Anatolia, which is specially modified to carry unmanned aircraft, was the one that opened the grand aeronautical parade earlier today, sailing up the Bosphorus towards the Black Sea, followed by 100 other ships. In the sky of Istanbul, F16 aircraft “wrote” the number 100, for the one century of Turkey.

“Our Republic is safe and in good hands, as it has never been. Rest in peace,” Erdogan said this morning, visiting Atatürk’s mausoleum in Ankara.

Responding to opposition criticism that he is trying to erase Atatürk’s legacy, Erdogan said in his speech that he “loves every phase of our glorious past”.