Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım gave an address at his residence, Çankaya Mansion, in the capital of Ankara.
“If the July 15 coup bid had happened in another country, it would have destroyed that country. Terrorist groups have not learned their lesson. We will continue to fight against terrorism. We have the Turkish people behind us; Turkey is not afraid. We will never allow terrorist groups to threaten our national unity or future," explained Yıldırım.
Turkey has engaged in significant counter-terrorism efforts in a bid to ensure security despite the presence of the PKK, Daesh, FETÖ, PYD and DHKP-C terrorist groups.
“These terrorists, who risk their own lives, have no future in Turkey. Terrorist groups have recognized that Turkey has made great progress in combatting terrorism, and so they have started to attack asymmetrically," said Yıldırım.
The government has developed major infrastructure projects, and has announced further plans for mega projects in 2017.
“We have made advances in the fields of health, economy, education and agriculture. A welfare state is one that listens to its people. We are trying to be productive during every second of time in power. We have always been beside the people, and will continue to be beside you," said Yıldırım.
“If Turkey can survive the worst economic crises of the past few decades, this is due to the contribution of the people. The contribution of the people in projects since 2002 has been immense," the Prime Minister continued.
Several mega projects came to life in 2016, such as; the third bridge over the Bosporus Strait; a new highway which will connect commercial Istanbul with the Aegean resort of İzmir, including the world's fourth longest suspension bridge over İzmit Bay; the Eurasia Tunnel and others.
“In the past 14 years that we [AK Party] have been in power, people have been in the center of all our projects. If the people cannot trust those in power, the people will not feel safe, secure or happy. We are here to serve the people," said Yıldırım.
“A constitutional change is exactly what Turkey needs. If there had been a coalition or weak government in power during the July 15 coup, history would have repeated itself. Terrorism will be combatted with a strong government, and the constitutional change will enable this," concluded Yıldırım.
