DEVASTATING LOSS OF TURKEY
Ekrem Demirtaş, Chairman of the Executive Board of Izmir Chamber of Commerce and President of IUE Board of Trustees, stated that he was deeply saddened by the death of Süleyman Demirel, the 9th President of Republic of Turkey. Demirtaş said, “Süleyman Demirel, who dedicated his life to the Republic and truly loved Turkey, was an esteemed statesman and a one of a kind world leader. He has provided services in every inch of Anatolia and these services will never be forgotten.”
Demirtaş delivered the following speech on the death of Demirel:
“Our 9th President Süleyman Demirel, who has fought for democracy all through his life, put his stamp on history by the services he provided for the Turkish Republic for 50 years.
His support and close interest to the Chamber and the University during his tenure as Prime Minister and Presidency, has given us strength. He has honored us by delivering the first lecture on 26 October 2001 when he attended the opening ceremony of Izmir University of Economics. He has shared his deep knowledge and experiences for 10 years in the opening ceremonies of the University. We were close witnesses of his unique intelligence, and his ability to sum up even the most serious topics in a few words in a fashionable manner.
We were also honored to have conferred him with the degree of “Doctor Honoris Causa” for the first time in 2005. He has attended many meetings and ceremonies organized by the Chamber, he has attended a council meeting on 19 March 1997 and addressed the members of the council. All those meetings were unforgettable moments for us.
Even though he was not able to attend the opening ceremonies of the University or other organizations due to his illness for the last two years or so, he has always given his excuse either by phone or mail, and shown that he continued to be in touch with us.
Süleyman Demirel, who dedicated his life to the Republic, and truly loved Turkey, was an esteemed statesman and a one of a kind world leader. He has provided services in every inch of Anatolia and these services will never be forgotten. We are all appalled by his death as the Chamber and the University just like the whole nation. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and to the whole nation. May he rest in peace.”
