On behalf of President Obama and the citizens of the United States, I congratulate the people of Turkey as you celebrate 92 years since the founding of your Republic this October 29.  

Our nations have long been bound by a common vision of a more peaceful and prosperous future for all people.  As NATO allies, the United States and Turkey have stood together to defend against regional and global threats.  Today we welcome Turkey’s active participation in the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, and appreciate Turkey’s generosity in hosting more than two million refugees fleeing violence in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere.  We will continue our close cooperation to address these critical challenges.  In the wake of the terrible bombing in Ankara, we share your grief and underscore our solidarity with Turkey; we will continue to work together to combat the shared threat of terrorism.   

There is more to our increasingly vibrant bilateral relationship than security cooperation, including broadening opportunities in trade and tourism and in exchanges among our colleges and universities.  Americans have come to know Turkey as a country rich in heritage and the arts.  As you celebrate your special day, we can be confident that the friendship of the Turkish and American peoples will endure.