My esteemed fellow citizens of Iskenderun, representatives of our valuable business world, and respected members of the press;

Regarding some developments that occurred during the election process of our Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I would like to express my thoughts, which I have deliberately refrained from expressing until today. Today, I feel the need to share this with you. First of all, I would like to thank all our friends who went to the polls with democratic maturity, expressed their will, and were elected or not elected. We are in an election race. We entered. But we never risked sacrificing years of friendship and brotherhood for the sake of gaining a position. We never considered it our duty to divide the people of this city based on their beliefs, identities, political views, and thoughts. We didn"t find it fitting.

Because for us, no election victory,

is more valuable than the brotherhood of Iskenderun and Turkey.

For three terms, I have served as the president of the Iskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry with great honor and responsibility, and I have placed its reputation above even my own personal reputation.

Throughout the election process, we faced many criticisms and accusations regarding myself, my commercial activities, our management approach, and the past work of our chamber. We followed with sadness the propaganda being carried out using some of our journalist friends.

Although we know our counterparts very well;

We never mentioned our competitors" commercial understanding.

We have never been on the path of discrediting anyone.

Because we couldn"t bring ourselves to tamper with the sensitivities of our city, to compromise our stance, for the sake of winning an election.

Some may have interpreted our silence as weakness, our politeness as unease, and our patience as having nothing to say...

However, the reason for our silence is extremely clear.

What silences us is not unease;

The sportsmanship we learned from past sports ethics,

The seriousness and discipline we gained from our experience as educators,

The responsibility of the institution we represent,

Our protocol courtesy and

Most importantly, it is our respect for the concept of the state.

Because although it is possible to respond to every word, it is not right to respond to every word.

However, today, both out of conscience and corporate responsibility, I consider it a right and a duty to express certain points.

Of course, everyone can be a candidate. They can want change. They can talk about young people, new projects, different management approaches, and bigger goals. All of these are the richness of our democratic life. It is also possible to criticize the vision of an administration that has been in office for years. We may have shortcomings. Over three terms, we struggled with internal abuses, the pandemic, the major earthquake disaster, and many other difficulties. We worked very hard; Perhaps we haven"t adequately explained what we"ve done, and many of our dreams remain unfulfilled. Everyone who thinks they can do better can express their thoughts openly. However, the way to create a new vision does not involve belittling the efforts of the past. Wanting change is one thing, but dividing people is another. Making propaganda with the motto "every means is justified" is a completely different kind of greed, and most importantly, a great danger. style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial">Let"s not forget that in this sensitive geography in which we live, making people"s beliefs, sects, political views or cultural affiliations a part of an election calculation is a mistake that needs to be seriously considered.

İskenderun, where differences have lived side by side for centuries, trading in the same market, sharing bread at the same table, and standing together in sorrow and joy. It is a city that has been supported. This is our wealth. This is what makes Hatay Hatay. No position, no election, no personal goal; This city is not more valuable than its authority. We should all know that any discourse that can fuel regional, sectarian, cultural or political divisions for the sake of a chamber election, regardless of its intention, can inflict wounds that are very difficult to heal. A few votes in an election It is possible to win. But no offered task or position can justify this audacity. This city has experienced great suffering in the past. After the earthquake, we tried to be a balm for each other"s wounds. We clung to each other in the midst of the same pain. Now I ask: Is it worth distancing people who share the same pain from each other for the sake of choosing a room? Is it worth distancing people who share the same pain from each other for the sake of choosing a room? lang="tr" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial">We have very valuable friends who are moving with us, coming from different thoughts, different cultures and different social environments.

Their common denominator is the desire to serve Iskenderun.

The behavior shown and what we experienced is first and foremost an injustice to the will of those people.

Of course, election success can be celebrated. Everyone has the right to rejoice. However, the difference between being elected from a professional group and being elected to the chamber presidency should also be evaluated within the framework of institutional seriousness.

There should be joy and excitement in elections. But amidst this excitement, respect, moderation, and brotherhood should never be lost. For me, the real success is being able to look your opponent in the face with the same sincerity after coming out of the ballot box. For me, the real victory is being able to work with the same sincerity for the future of Iskenderun tomorrow, together with the person you thought differently from yesterday. It is being able to sit at the same table. And for me, true leadership is, before keeping those who support it together, It is about people being able to value it wholeheartedly. lang="tr" style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family:Arial">His intention is pure, just, merciful

The Right Person It is to be able to.

I want to express this with all sincerity:

Throughout my life, I have lived to be a good person and always

Because this chamber is not just the chamber of one group, one segment, or one understanding.

This chamber is the common chamber of industrialists, merchants, tradesmen, producers, employers, and everyone who contributes to this city. It is the roof.

The reason I am making this statement today is not to settle accounts for past events or to open the door to a new discussion.

On the contrary, it is to remind ourselves of our shared values ​​today so that we do not experience greater resentments tomorrow..

I believe that it is possible for all of us to reunite our minds, consciences, and common sense at a common point.

İskenderun needs more solidarity, not more polarization.

Hatay needs people who value each other, not people who belittle each other.

Elections are held every four years. But we will be looking each other in the face for a lifetime in this city.

Let"s not forget that positions do not give people superiority; What gives value to those positions is the stance and morality of the people. I want to conclude my words with precisely this understanding. I wholeheartedly congratulate all of our elected council members. I also highly value the efforts and good intentions of our friends who were not elected. I hope that the upcoming presidential election will also be completed with courtesy, mutual respect and democratic maturity. I hope that the upcoming presidential election will also be completed with courtesy, mutual respect and democratic maturity. May God grant that this duty will not be undertaken for personal gain, May God grant it to those who can control their desires, not for show, and who can bear the responsibility of using it for the good of our Iskenderun, our Hatay, and our country. Our greatest gain is not a position, but the trust we have in each other. Our greatest gain is not a position, but the trust we have in each other. style="font-size: 12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-font-family: Arial">For me, the real issue is not becoming president, but being worthy of the office of president.

I wanted to share what"s in my heart with you, without any personal animosity, only out of love and responsibility for this city.

I greet you all with love, respect and affection.

Levent Hakkı YILMAZ

İskenderun Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Board of Directors Chairman