Turkish business community hails state of emergency

ANKARA

A wide range of business leaders in Turkey hailed Wednesday’s state of emergency declaration, decided in the wake of last week’s failed coup, conceding it as a necessary step for Turkish democracy to go forward.

“Extraordinary times need exceptional authority. We believe that extraordinary threats can only be defeated by extraordinary measures,” said Ibrahim Caglar, head of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO).

“In this respect, the decision for a three-month state of emergency nationwide is very appropriate in terms of the country’s peace and the state's survival,” he added.

Government officials have stressed that the state of emergency is aimed at bringing the coup plotters to justice swiftly, emphasizing that the lives of ordinary people and the economy will continue uninterrupted, business will go on as usual, and emergency powers will not be abused.

Ibrahim Burkay, head of the Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, echoed Caglar’s views, saying the state of emergency will help Turkey build a stronger democracy and more reliable legal system.

"The state of emergency decision will provide a basis to achieve national goals as well as protect citizens' rights and freedoms,” he said.

Another prominent figure from the Turkish business community, Ali Kopuz, head of the Istanbul Commodity Exchange, said countries only rise on the basis of justice, and the decision was necessary for establishing it.

"The Cabinet, gathered under the chairmanship of President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, has done what is required," Kopuz said.