RIHA - Stating that the success of the process initiated under the leadership of Öcalan will make a great contribution to the economy, Ömer Fırat, the director of Riha Chamber of Industry and Commerce, called for the opening of border gates as the first step.

 

The door opened for the democratic solution of the Kurdish issue by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" on 27 February has moved to a new phase with the decisions of the PKK's 12th Congress. The echoes of the call and the congress decisions continue.

 

For years, the state's confinement of the Kurdish problem to conflictual processes has deepened many political, legal and economic problems, especially in social life. Following the call, social segments emphasised the need to contribute to the process.

 

The chambers of commerce and stock exchanges serving in the provinces and districts of Mêrdîn (Mardin), Elîh (Batman), Amed (Diyarbakır), and Şirnex (Şırnak) made a statement on 23 April demanding the opening of the border gate separating Qamişlo (Qamishlo) and Nisebîn (Nusaybin).

 

Speaking on the subject, Ömer Fırat, Member of the Board of Directors (BoD) of Riha (Urfa) Chamber of Industry and Commerce, stated that peace will make great contributions to both the peoples of Kurdistan and Turkey, especially in economic terms.

 

'WHERE THERE IS BROTHERHOOD, THERE IS DEVELOPMENT'

 

"If the process is carried out correctly, not only a region but the whole of Turkey will win" said Fırat and added: "Wherever brotherhood is established, there will be peace, production and development. We would like to thank all the actors of this process. Especially Mr Sırrı Süreyya Önder, who lost his life, as well as Mr Bahçeli, Mr Erdoğan and Mr Abdullah Öcalan, who played a role in the process, their efforts are valuable. The future of the country depends on peace. Urfa is ready to carry out the culture of brotherhood. Urfa is an ancient city where many beliefs and identities have lived together in brotherhood throughout history. Every positive step to be taken in this city will not only be a symbol but also an example."

 

Stating that the business world supports the process, Fırat emphasised that peace has a direct impact on economic development. "Because without an environment of peace, there can be no investment, export and production. Today, a stable and safe Urfa is also a gain for Turkey's economy. In an environment of peace, the entrepreneurship of young people increases. Women's participation in the field of production is increasing. We support this process by considering not only today but also our future," he said. 

 

'OPEN THE BORDER GATES' CALL

 

Emphasising that legal steps should be taken in order to prevent the process from evolving into permanent and conflictual processes again, Fırat underlined that one of the steps to be taken in economic terms is the opening of Kobanê-Pirsûs and Serekanîye border gates. 

 

Fırat concluded: "The distance between Urfa Organised Industrial Zone (OSB) and Kobanê is 35 kilometres. With the opening of this border gate, the exports from here to Kobanê (Kobani) will be delivered within days. I think it will make a great economic contribution to Urfa. We especially want this border gate to be opened. At the same time, Ceylanpınar border gate should be opened. The business world should raise its voice a little more for this process and protect the process. Because this affects the business world the most. The process needs to be accelerated. As the process gets longer, it will bring road accidents."

 

MA / Ceylan Şahinli