Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

“That the petition to take the law outlawing the denial of the alleged Armenian genocide in France to the French Supreme Council as it is unconstitutional has garnered the required support is extremely gratifying.

A promising step in redressing this injustice -which would damage Turkish-French relations immensely and would be against the freedoms of thought and expression, the roots of which are attributed to France- has been taken.

This development has shown us that there are politicians who see reason and have sound judgment in France, who value the basic tenets of France, the principles of freedom of thought and justice.

Politicians with a sense of responsibility have displayed first and foremost, an important stance in preventing the perpetration of shame in the name of France and the French nation.

I congratulate those senators and representatives who stood on the side of justice and the freedom of thought in signing petitioning the Constitution Council despite all political pressure.

We will now closely follow the judiciary process and await its culmination. It is my belief that the winner will be justice, freedom of thought and the future of Turkey-France relations.

As the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey we have followed this process from its start and have done our part in lobbying regarding the matter and continue to do so. During this process, it brought us joy to see that the views of the French business community have been in line with ours and we have been supported greatly by the French business world and our French friends against this injustice.

I would like to thank the ICC President Mr. Gerard Worms, French Union of Chambers President Mr. André Marcon, Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Mr. Pierre-Antoine Gaily, MEDEF President Ms. Laurence Parisot, Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry Honorary President Mr. Pierre Simon, AXA President and CEO Henri de Castries.

In addition, I would like to thank the French business community, Turkish-French Commerce Association President Zeynep Necipoğlu and the French-capital companies operating in Turkey.

I present my gratitude to the Turkish Ambassador to Paris, Tahsin Burcuoğlu, whose resolute support and attention has been with us at every step of this process.

For the first time, our businessmen living abroad as part of the World Turkish Business Council (DTİK) have come together to move in unison as the Turkish Diaspora. Our businessmen in Europe working under DTİK have cooperated closely with the Turkish associations in France.

In this regard, I extend my gratitude to the DTİK member businessmen and our civilians in Europe who put forth their objections in a democratic manner on behalf of the Turkish business world.

The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey will follow the process closely and maintain its contacts.

Alternatively, we will support all scientific research regarding this matter to be conducted at the Population Movements Study Center to be established at the TOBB University of Economy and Technology.

Our efforts will continue so long as Turkey is targeted with unjust and unlawful accusations.”
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