Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Attending the meeting which took place at the Confederation building, in addition to Hisarcıklıoğlu and Speaker Çiçek were AK Party Rep. Mustafa Şentop, AK Party Anakra Rep. Ahmet İyimaya, CHP Konya Rep. Atilla Kart, MHP Erzurum Rep. Oktay Öztürk, TESK President Bendevi Palandöken and NGO representatives.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting Hisarcıklıoğlu thanked Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Çiçek for his determined stance in conducting the work regarding the new constitution in a participatory manner.

Stating that their work as the Constitution Platform, established in 2007, picked up speed with the Parliament’s parallel work, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We want the new constitution to be the memorandum of understanding of the 74 million.”

Emphasizing the importance of participation in this process, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that platforms and channels which the public can use to express their opinions will contribute greatly to the process of the preparation of a new constitution.
Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that the new constitution should be focused on the individual; a system that shuns discrimination; tries to realize the ideal of equality in all fields of social life; granting individuals basic rights and freedoms on a universal standard; and ensures the understanding of a democratic, secular and social justice government.

“We are conveying the basic tenets with the new constitution will be built upon to the Speaker of the Parliament,” said Hisarcıklıoğlu and went on:
“In the coming term we will be organizing meetings with large participation in many provinces. We will mobilize our ability to represent masses. We will attempt to render a culture of agreement based on dialogue aimed for reason dominant in the process of the preparation of the new constitution.
We want Turkey to be in dialogue, to be a part of the process through dialogue. We will see how much we have in common the more we talk to each other. We will do our best to ensure that every stage of the process is as a celebration. We want to contribute in bringing together our people and the constitution. The Parliament wants to rewrite the constitution with the people. The new constitution will carry us into the future. It will act as a strong bridge to the big goals we have set for ourselves.”

- Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Çiçek

Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Çiçek stated that, with the aid of NGOs, they plan to have the preparation of the new constitution done by the end of 2012.

Çiçek stated that one of the most important items in the Parliament’s agenda, from the day it was established, is the preparation of the new constitution.

Stating that everyone wants a new constitution, Çiçek said, “Both your demand and the will put forth by our nation has granted the new Parliament the chance, opportunity and obligation of preparing a new constitution.

- TESK President Palandöken

Turkey Confederation of Craftsmen and Artisans (TESK) President Bendevi Palandöken said, “The time has come for everyone to do their share and contribute to the preparation of the new constitution of the country.”

Palandöken, stating that they represent 2 million craftsmen and artisans, they are honored to have the committee of the Speaker of the Parliament Cemil Çiçek visit them first.

The meeting held at the confederation building was attended by the Speaker of the Parliament Çiçek and Constitution Commission Acting President and AK Party İstanbul Rep. Mustafa Şentop, AK Party Ankara Rep. Ahmet İyimaya, CHP Konya Rep. Atilla Kart, MHP Erzurum Rep. Oktay Öztürk, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, TESK President Bendevi Palandöken and representatives of NGOs.
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