Özhaseki, who resigned from the ministry, announces 'We are putting a full stop now'

Former Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Mehmet Özhaseki, who handed over his duties back to Murat Kurum, announced that he has left active politics in a statement he made while being welcomed at Kayseri Airport.

Özhaseki was welcomed at the airport by Kayseri Governor Gökmen Çiçek, AKP Kayseri Deputy and Chairman of the Turkish Grand National Assembly National Defense Commission Hulusi Akar, AKP Kayseri Deputy Şaban Çopuroğlu, Kayseri Metropolitan Mayor Memduh Büyükkılıç, district mayors, AKP Kayseri Provincial Chairman Fatih Üzün, protocol members, and citizens, where he made striking statements.

Stating that they have put up a great struggle for approximately 21 years, Özhaseki said, “Our dear friends of the heart have come here. Our fellow cause members, with whom we have struggled together for years, thank you for taking the trouble to come here. Of course, we have reached the end of the road. Every job has a beginning and an end. Life is like this too; you come into this life. Everything ends in the blink of an eye. Our adventure started in '94. They were difficult days; Kayseri really had many problems.

In those days, we joined hands with many of our friends. It was a great struggle for almost 21 years. Thank God we served our city, and then the Ankara adventure began with the insistent invitation of our President. The ministry period there was also difficult; there were trench incidents, followed by the deputy chairmanship of the party, and we have been continuing our struggle for more than a year during a period when the earthquake occurred.

Thank God, our life in Kayseri was spent in service; we signed off on very large projects, everyone is a witness to this, and on the other hand, we worked like crazy, day and night. We never gave way to the bad, but we continued our struggle by standing behind every good deed and supporting everything we knew to be right. The point I especially want to make is this: people come to a duty and leave, but it is important to be able to leave with your head held high, it is important to leave with a clear conscience, and it is important to go before God with a clean face.

I have had my principles, and I have not compromised on them so far. May God not make me compromise from now on; we have not strayed from the truth, and we have held public property and the property of the orphan as dearer than our own property and our own lives. We have had no concern other than protecting the property and interests of the nation, thank God,” he said.

"WE ARE SUBMITTING OUR FOUNDATION PETITION ON MONDAY"

Stating that they will help those in need through a foundation from now on, Özhaseki said, "Today, we are putting a full stop to active political life. Our support is with our brothers and friends here. They will continue, and we will pray for them and support them. When they say there is a need and call us, we will come running; otherwise, we will continue to pray quietly from the background.

Of course, I ask for the blessing of all our fellow citizens in Kayseri, and I ask for the blessing of our nation. May all my rights be blessed. Thank God, when I look back, I am in the happiness of seeing a life full of service, just as I have never done any evil that would hurt my conscience. I would like to thank everyone for their presence here, may God be pleased with them.

We will continue to be in Kayseri from now on. This is our father's hearth; we have memories in every corner of it, both from childhood and from the subsequent service period. God willing, we are submitting our petition regarding the establishment of the foundation on Monday and we are establishing our family foundation.

Our building is also about to be finished. From now on, we will continue to provide scholarships to students, especially to the destitute, orphans, and the needy. We will do whatever we can to ensure they continue their education. I had already come from foundation services, and I am returning to foundation services again, God willing. Thus, we will complete our lives,” he said.

News Source: AA