The Honorable Ministers, Members of the Parliament, and Ambassadors, Esteemed Press Members, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Welcome,

We would like to express our gratitude to you for not leaving us alone and for honoring us with your presence on such an important day for TABA.

Turkish-American Business Association, TABA, experienced a historic day in this hall on the 9th of July 2002 and welcomed the 42nd President of the United States, the Honorable Mr. Bill Clinton. And again today will be a substantially important and unforgettable day for our Association.

We take the pride in His Excellency Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s accepting the invitation of our Association and honoring us. On behalf of the Board of Directors of TABA, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to you, your Excellency the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Turkey faced the most important economic crisis in its history two years ago. While the whole world expected big social explosions following that crisis, it was seen that Turkey has survived owing to the beliefs, traditions and perseverance of the Turkish people. And, when we look back, we see that all those difficulties have provided us with a stronger structure. The only friendly nation that furnished us with support in overcoming that crisis was the United States of America.

Turkey has attained the political stability needed urgently, following the November 3 elections. Today, we see that the reforms made by bewildering and winning appreciation of the whole world in the process of full membership to the European Union are being carried out rapidly.

Our Government carries out young, dynamic, and innovative operations rapidly responding to the needs of the Turkish People. We now well know that there are no obstacles that cannot be overcome with this belief and determination. We proudly observe that the pride and self-confidence the Turkish people have deserved are being recovered.

On September 11, 2001, the most tragic event witnessed by the world took place. Today is the anniversary of that cruel attack. As a country that has struggled against terrorism for years in the world, we have always been beside the United States as from the first day it waged war against terrorism; we cursed terrorism together. With its secular and democratic structure, Turkey has played an important role in prevention of a conflict of civilizations and religions.

In the new world order, alliances are being formed spontaneously among countries that have common social, cultural and strategic purposes. We strongly believe that the 50 years of historical amity between Turkey and the USA will get stronger under the changing conditions of the world.

A very severe political and social quake is taking place in the Middle East. Ensuring stabilization in the region as soon as possible is highly important for all the countries in the world. The faster the economic and political order of our neighbors is established, the earlier we, as a member of the European Union, provide our people with a brighter future.

I wish to extend my gratitude to his Excellency Prime Minister for his presence and honoring us once again and would like to invite Mr. Egemen Bağış, Istanbul MP of the Ak Party, who is also the Chairman of Turkish-American Parliamentary Friendship Group and who has served as the Chairman of the Federation of Turkish-American Associations for many years.