Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The eighth of the widely-attended “Constitution Citizens’ Meetings” held by the civil society organizations gathered under the name, “Constitution Platform” with the secretariat of the TEPAV was held with the exclusive attendance of youth in Samsun.

Attending the meeting held at the Samsun Atatürk Sports Hall were TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Speaker Cemil Çiçek, TBMM Constitution Negotiation Commission’s AKP, CHP, MHP and BDP members, Constitution Platform members, local and national NGO representatives and randomly selected youth from the 7 regions of Turkey.

The meeting, held with the slogan of “Turkey Speaks”, aims to allow for the unbiased, free and civilized discussion regarding the people’s ideas, demands and expectations. These contributions will be relayed to the TBMM Constitution Negotiation Commission in a report at the end of the process.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, TOBB President M Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “I congratulate every one of these young people for setting aside their time on this week end with beautiful weather for our future. I thank the parents that raised such children that would attend this kind of meeting with no expectation of personal material benefit but for the benefit of the country’s future. We thank you, the Speaker of the TBMM and our political parties.”

- 25,000 Dollar per capita income goal

Stating that throughout the years, the per capita income in Turkey has increased greatly, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We will be one of the top 10 economies of the world on the centennial of our Republic. We will increase the per capita income to 25,000 Dollars.”
The TOBB President said that they view the constitution as the essential part of the system and emphasized that it would be impossible to mend other shortcomings without implementing a new constitution. “We don’t have a minute to waste,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on, “We need the new constitution for ourselves, for you. You youth are the future of this country. You have the most say in this matter. You are the future of this country.”

- The tailor will be the people

Stating that the political parties have shown the will to have the people be the tailor of the new constitution, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This will be the people’s constitution. It is very important that we are here in Samsun with the youth; Samsun is where the foundations of the Republic were laid.

You will speak for your own futures today. We want a constitution that will focus on the individual. Speak as you see fit today. Do not hold back. I thank the Samsun mayor and Municipality President, Constitution Platform Members and the Speaker of the TBMM.”

- TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek

In his speech, the TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek said, “For the first time, we will have a constitution prepared according to the wishes of the people. The view that Turkey misses is the view that we see here, today.”

- Constitution Platform Members

Members of the Constitution Platform are: Turkey Chambers of Agriculture Union (TZOB), Turkey Craftsmen and Artisans Confederation (TESK), Turkey Laborer Syndicates Confederation (TÜRK-İŞ), Turkey Employers’ Syndicates Confederation (TİSK), HAK Workers’ Syndicate Confederation (HAK-İŞ), Public Servants’ Syndicates Confederation (MEMUR-SEN), Turkey Public Administration Workers’ Syndicates Confederation (T.KAMU-SEN), Turkey Independent Accountants, Financial Consultants and Certified Public Accountants Chambers Union (TÜRMOB), Turkish Veterinarians Union (TVHB), Turkey Bar Associations Union (TBB), Turkey Travel Agencies Union (TÜRSAB), Turkey Notaries Union (TNB) and the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB).
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