Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

“First of all, we pray for the grace of Allah upon the two security officers who lost their lives during the heinous attack in Bingöl and extend our wishes for speedy recovery for the wounded. We vehemently condemn this heinous attack.

As TESK, TÜRK-İŞ, Türkiye KAMU-SEN, MEMUR-SEN, HAK-İŞ, TİSK, TZOB and TOBB, we have convened to discuss the recent events. We are the workers, public servants, artisans, farmers and entrepreneurs of Turkey. We all work to live and work in peace and to contribute to the growth of our country. We have members of all points of view, creeds and ethnic groups. Our shared dream is to leave a stronger, more prosperous Turkey to our children.

We are against all illegal and violent acts against our government, nation and democratic, secular, social structure. We vehemently condemn the violent activities taking place in various cities which present events taking place outside our borders as excuse. Vandalism and banditry cannot be excused or viewed to be in the right in any eventuality; these cannot be a method for seeking one’s rights.

Problems and demands should be expressed via democratic channels –not through street barbarity. Street terror not only damages the stability and peace of our country but also negatively impacts the economy. Especially in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions, the recently revitalized investments into these regions will suffer. The worst effected by this will be the regions’ people and our country. Peace and stability are prerequisites of everyone being able to focus on their own business. The path to a more prosperous and peaceful state for our nation is through this.

We all remember all too well the dark days wherein attempts to turn our diversity into difference were made. It is very evident that there are those who wish to initiate strife among brothers in our country, to disrupt our unity and solidarity.

We will state this clearly: We must eliminate these heinous attempts as a nation!

In order to bring peace to our cities, it is the duty of each and every one of us to preserve Turkey’s unity and solidarity from all conflict. Especially in order to protect the peace process which is of the utmost importance for our country, we must act with responsibility and prudence. In the face of this ruse in play in our country, we urge all parts of our society to be patient, responsible and prudent.

We must recognize the amount of energy wasted in conflict and continue to work towards our shared future for Turkey. Descendants of a millennia old civilization, this nation has the power and conviction to overcome these ploys. This country has contributed in all aspects to the peace of the whole region and will continue to do so.

Together, we will all go forward unto better days. Seventy-six million should embrace each other on this path. REMEMBER, THIS COUNTRY BELONGS TO US ALL.”