08.09.2016 Kütahya
TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, during his speech at the foundation laying ceremony for the July 15th Martyrs Ceramics Factory stated that TOBB was the first civil society organization to declare that they would recognize no other authority than the will of the people and democracy immediately following the announcement of the coup on the night of July 15th.
TOBB President
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that he has been in China for the last 5 days, “We were
attending the G20 and B20 meetings with the President of the Republic of
Turkey. I arrived yesterday and will be leaving for Belgium tonight. Like
Evliya Çelebi of Kütahya, I am traveling all over the world. I lobby for
Turkish interests. Among all this travel I wanted to come and visit Kütahya and
to meet with the business community. I salute the city of the Seljuk, Ottoman,
of foundation and liberation, Kütahya and its residents.”
Emphasizing that Turkey
overcame a great trial on July 15th, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “July 15th
was our second liberation. The courage of our nation prevented them from
reaching their goals. I would like to thank the President of the Republic of
Turkey, the Prime Minister, political party leaders and the Turkish Grand
National Assembly.
TOBB was the first
civil society organization to declare that they would recognize no other
authority than the will of the people and democracy immediately following the
announcement of the coup. Our chambers and exchanges in Kütahya also spread the
message, attending democracy meetings as well as providing logistical support.
They’ve also contributed significantly to the aid campaigns for the families of
the martyrs. As a community we’ve donated 54 million TRY to the campaign. The
chairpersons, boards and council members of the Kütahya CCI, Kütahya CE,
Tavşanlı CCI, Simav CCI, Gediz CCI are here; I would like to extend my
heartfelt thanks to them.
We are just laying
the foundations of a factory. We are presenting the strongest rebuttal to the
traitors of July 15th. This is a show of our belief in a strong
future for Turkey.”
Stating that the
Güral family is a lover of Kütahya and have rendered unto Kütahya many great
services to date, Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that they have contributed to the
prosperity of both the city and the country.
Pointing out that we
have been blessed by a bountiful land, Hisarcıklıoğlu emphasized the need to
turn natural resources into high value goods and said there is only one way to
achieve this, “Grace and prosperity in unity; anguish in dissent. If we stand
together, think differently but act with common cause, then we will achieve
grace and prosperity. Thankfully this unity already exists in Kütahya. I am
hopeful for the future. If we preserve our unity, none can bring us down. I
hope that we will attain great heights together.”
- Other speakers
Minister of Forestry
and Water Affairs Veysel Eroğlu stated that the name of the factory is very
meaningful. Reporting that growth rates in Europe are almost at a standstill,
Eroğlu said, “Turkey is progressing. We will achieve our 2023 goal of becoming
one of the 10 largest economies in the world. Kütahya will be ready for 2023.
Eroğlu congratulated Nafi Güral and the Güral family for the July 15th
Martyrs Ceramics Factory.
Kütahya CCI Chair
Nafi Güral stated that they view the perpetrators of the July 15th
coup attempt as traitors and that is how they should be treated. Nafi urged
that the business community should be pursue investments and increasing
employment. Stating that TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu is familiar with the
issues facing Kütahya, Güral pointed out that Hisarcıklıoğlu is also providing
important representation for Turkey on international platforms.
Following the
speeches, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu, Minister Eroğlu and protocol members
laid the foundation of the factory.