02.03.2020 Ankara
At the TOBB Twin Towers, nearly 30 major professional organizations, trade union confederations and non-governmental organizations, issued a joint statement regarding the treacherous attack in Idlib.
Simultaneous
press conferences were held in 81 provinces with the participation of
provincial representatives of the organizations which attended the meeting in
Ankara. During the press release at the TOBB Twin Towers, 7 provinces
representing the regions (Batman, Denizli, Edirne, Hatay, Gaziantep, Trabzon,
Van) were contacted live.
The
joint declaration read by the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of
Turkey (TOBB) President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, is as follows:
“Currently,
in 81 provinces, Turkey's leading 30 professional organizations, trade union
confederations and non-governmental organizations are making this statement
together.
We
stood by our nation and our state at every critical time.
We
acted with responsibility.
Today,
we are showing our joint reaction to the treacherous attack in Idlib.
First
of all, may Allah bless the spirits of all our heroic soldiers who were
martyred in their mission to defend the peace, security of the homeland and the
oppressed. May Allah make the abode of our martyrs a paradise. May patience and
fortitude be given to their relatives and urgent healing to the wounded. I'm
sorry for the loss of our nation.
Our
troops were in Idlib, protecting both our country's borders and the oppressed.
Because
the persecution in Syria, the brutal slaughter of hundreds of thousands of
civilians, the expulsion of millions from their homes, the land; the world
remained silent.
Unfortunately,
Turkey's peace-oriented efforts have not been reciprocated by many countries.
We're
calling again from here.
There
is a regime which has not taken on its share of humanity; disregarding all
moral, human and religious values, targeting even the lives of its own citizens,
driving them from their country.
It
is driving Syria to more and more severe destruction every day.
Finally,
the regime forces, by not complying with agreements, ambushed our soldiers in
treachery.
This
attack can never be acceptable.
Therefore,
we cannot be expected to remain silent against these regime elements that
slaughter innocent people and pose a clear threat to the security of our
country.
It
is our historical, human and conscientious responsibility to protect the right
of our Syrian brothers and sisters who have historical and cultural ties and
who have fled the persecution of the regime.
So
far, the Turkish State and Armed Forces have given the strongest answer to
terrorist organizations and their supporters with the Euphrates Shield, Olive
Branch and Peace Spring Operations.
Of
course, the perpetrators of this brutal attack will pay the price.
They’ve
begun paying with Operation Spring Shield.
And
let everyone know that we are a nation that knows how to overcome all manner of
challenges.
When
it comes to the homeland, we put aside all political and intellectual
divisions.
Now
we act in unity and solidarity, showing patience and fraternity.
We
hold the interests of our country above all else.
Today
we are stronger than ever; we are united, whole and together. As the business
community and NGOs representing all parts of Turkey, we have closed ranks under
our flag.
We
stand with our state and our heroic armed forces, who are fighting decisively
against the murderous regime.
We
stand by every decision and every step to be taken for the establishment of
peace.
May
Allah bless our country, preserve the unity and persistence of our nation, and
make our army victorious.
Now
we're going to make a live connection to the seven provinces representing their
regions.
Provinces
contacted via teleconference:
Batman
Batman
CCI President Abdülkadir Demir
Denizli
Denizli
CC President Uğur Erdogan
Edirne
Edirne
President Recep Zıpkınkurt
Gaziantep
Gaziantep
CI President Adnan Ünverdi
Hatay
Hatay
CCI President Hikmet Çinçin
Trabzon
Trabzon
CCI Suat Hacisalihoğlu
Van
Van
CCI President Necdet Takva
Organizations participating in the
joint statement:
§
Anatolian Lions Businessmen's Association (ASKON)
§
Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK)
§
Confederation of Rights Workers' Unions (HAK-İŞ)
§
Association of Women Entrepreneurs (KAGİDER)
§
Confederation of Civil Servants' Unions (MEMUR-SEN)
§
Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MÜSIAD)
§
Senior Organization of Organized Industrial Zones (OSBÜK)
§
All Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TÜMSİAD)
§
Turkish Industry and Businesspeople Association (TÜSİAD)
§
Turkish Veterinary Physicians Association
§
Turkish Bar Association (TBB)
§
Turkish Pensioners Association (TÜED)
§
Confederation of Tradesmen and Artisans of Turkey (TESK)
§
Turkish Young Businessmen's Association (TÜGİAD)
§
Confederation of Young Businessmen of Turkey (TÜGİK)
§
Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM)
§
Turkish Business Women's Association (TİKAD)
§
Confederation of Turkish Labor Unions (TURK-İŞ)
§
Confederation of Employers' Unions of Turkey (TİSK)
§
Confederation of Public Employees Unions of Turkey (KAMU-SEN)
§
Turkish Contractors Association (TMB)
§
Turkish Notaries Association
§
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)
§
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Women
Entrepreneurs Council
§
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) Young
Entrepreneurs Council
§
Union of Chambers of Financial Advisors and Chartered Accountants of Turkey
(TÜRMOB)
§
Turkish Association of Travel Agencies (TÜRSAB)
§
Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTYD)
§
Union of Agricultural Chambers of Turkey (TZOB)
§
International Investors Association (YASED)