Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

TESK Chairman Bendevi Palandöken, TZOB Deputy Secretary General Hikmet Yavuzyiğit, Türk-İş Chairman Ergün Atalay, Hak-İş Vice Chairman Mehmet Şahin, Memur-Sen Chairman Ali Yalçın, Türkiye Kamu-Sen Chairman İsmail Koncuk and TİSK Secretary General Bülent Pirler were also a part of the delegation which conducted the visit. Afterwards, TOBB President Hisarcıklıoğlu read the joint proclamation on behalf of the delegation, stressing that, in the wake of the elections, the ballot points towards reconciliation, pointing out that early elections would fail to bring resolution to long term structural problems, resulting in a waste of time.

Hisarcıklıoğlu said:

“We are here today representing the producers and workers of our country; business owners, farmers, public servants and job providers.

We represent 85% of the country; every part of society.

I would first like to present my gratitude to our citizens for taking part in the elections at such a high percentage turnout. The Turkish people have shown that they have adopted a robust tradition of democracy.

The ballot box has given a message of coalition, of reconciliation. We are of the opinion that early elections would fail to bring resolution to long term structural problems, resulting in a waste of time. Therefore, we want a government to be formed by the present parliament.

We are in a critical time when global financial uncertainties are on the increase, risks are more palpable. The economic and political upheaval in the region surrounding us is on the rise.

The government needs to be formed as soon as possible in order to prepare for and take precautions against all of these developments. We cannot leave the ship without a captain while waves swell on the horizon.

The formation of a coalition government representative of the will of the people will, in the short term, prevent the addition of domestic risk to the global risk we are already facing. In the long term it will reinforce a culture of reconciliation in our country.

We must remember that we are all in the same boat. Working together to instill reconciliation in our approach with dialogue and common sense, we can overcome all issues.

Everyone must act responsibly, sensibly and with moderation; this opportunity which can be turned into gains for Turkey should not be wasted. Otherwise, our country and people will pay dearly in economic and social terms.

We believe wholeheartedly that the atmosphere of peace will be strengthened with the formation of the new government, focusing once again on economy, EU accession and the structural reforms necessary for it; able to manage its risks.”