Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

The twelveth “Constitution Citizens’ Meeting” was held in Erzurum under the secretariat of TEPAV and the attendance of the civil society organizations congregating under the Constitution Platform.
The meeting held at the Cemal Gürsel Sports Hall was attended by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek, the TBMM Constitution Negotiation Commission’s AKP, CHP, MHP and BDP members, the Constitution Platform members, local and national NGO representatives and randomly selected citizens.

Stating the historical importance of Erzurum, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Today, we stand at the heart of Anatolia. This is the city where we established the first state when we claimed Anatolia at the Battle of Malazgirt. We stand where the wind cuts, where the people are brave and stout; the city of the Dadaş.

- Erzurum contributes to the new constitution

Stating that they have come to discuss the new constitution, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “The significance of Erzurum throughout this process is very special. Erzurum is where the flames of independence were lit.  It is where the seed of the Turkish Republic was planted. Exactly 93 years ago, the people’s will to be a nation was awoken during the Erzurum Congress here. People of different creeds and views put aside their differences. They formed a single fist and said, ‘The nation will stand united against the invasion.’ Just as Erzurum was the city where the fate of a nation was shaped in the past; so will it be the city where its future is decided. Today, you will contribute to the new Constitution, the roadmap of our future.”

Stating that they have come together as civil society organizations, mainly professional organizations and syndicate confederations, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “This is very significant. All of these organizations have differing world views, differing interests. There are businessmen among us, workers, merchants and pensioners. If you were to ask one by one, we would all say something different. But we have come together for the future of this country, for a new constitution. Everyone’s heart beats for a stronger Turkey. We are walking while we could be running. This suit no longer fits the body.”

- How the new constitution will written is as important as the fact that it is being rewritten

Stating that it is especially important how the new constitution is written as much as the fact that it is being rewritten TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “To this day, they always said the people don’t know any better. They said that they would write it up and the people would follow. This is why none of the constitutions have been beneficial to this day. Now, the National Assembly has stated that the hand of the people will craft the constitution.  This is the most concrete proof of it. We have come to you for the constitution. The people will have their say in regards to the constitution.”

Asking the residents of Erzurum to speak freely in regards to the constitution they want, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Just as Erzurum spoke for the establishment of this country, now it will have its say for the country’s future. You have the floor now. Speak openly and freely what you feel today on all matters. What kind of country, what kind of government do you honestly want to be a member of? If you don’t talk today, the blame is on your shoulders. You cannot answer for it to your children. Be assured that your voice will be heard; it will echo throughout Ankara. We will compile all of your views and present them to the constitution negotiation commission, who will take note of them.”

- TBMM Speaker Cemil Çiçek

Speaker of the National Assembly Cemil Çiçek said, “We must succeed in this endeavor in this term. The answer to the question, ‘What if we fail?’ is that trust in politics will decrease.”
Also making speeches were the members of the Constitution Negotiation Commission; BDP Iğdır Representative Pervin Buldan, MHP Party Erzurum Representative Oktay öztürk, AK Party Ankara Representative Ahmet İyimaya, CHP Konya Representative Atilla Kart.

- Mawlid for Turgut Özal

TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu and TBMM Speaker Çiçek attended a mawlid reading for the 19th anniversary of the passing of Turgut Özal, the 8th President of the Republic of Turkey, at the Ulu Mosque after the Turkey Speaks meeting held at the Cemal Gürsel Sports Hall by the Constitution Platform.

- Visit to the Erzurum Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Erzurum Exchange

Hisarcıklıoğlu and Çiçek visited the President of the Erzurum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ETSO), Lütfi Yücelik, along with the Assembly Representatives and NGO representatives who accompanied them to Erzurum.

The delegation also visited the Erzurum Commerce Exchange President Hakkı Hınıslıoğlu.
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