Afyonkarahiasr

President Abdullah Gül paid a domestic visit to the Aegean province of Afyonkarahisar, known for its thermal springs, marble and confectionery industry. Generating great interest and enthusiasm during his visits to both cities, President Gül expressed his praise for the considerable development of Afyonkarahisar and Uşak in recent years.

President Abdullah Gül paid a two-day domestic visit to the Aegean provinces of Afyonkarahisar and Uşak.

Welcomed by Governor İrfan Balkanlıoğlu, MPs, Mayor Burhanettin Çoban, Garrison Commander Colonel Gökhan İsmet Gülmez and other officials upon his arrival in Afyonkarahisar, the President proceeded to the Governorate in front of which citizens were waiting for him with flowers and evinced his pleasure to be visiting the city of Aftonkarahisar, where he said the Battle of Dumlupınar was launched as part of the Turkish Independence War and where Atatürk with his comrades in arm opened the path for the foundation of the Republic of Turkey, referring to the importance of Kocatepe in the Turkish history.

Extending his thanks and appreciation to the citizens waiting for him despite the cold weather, the President lauded Afyonkarahisar for accomplishing a considerable development in recent years and pointed to the amelioration and improvement of the city’s infrastructure and highways.

Governor Balkanlıoğlu told President Gül that they had planted 10, 000 saplings and decided to grant 200 student scholarships in memory of the President’s visit.

President Gül afterwards visited the Municipality of Afyonkarahisar where he underlined the significance of the services of the municipality for the good of the townspeople and the city itself. Mayor Çoban informed the President that they had given bursaries to 50 university students, half of whom are from the Turkic countries in Central Asia.

After the luncheon given by the Governor, President Gül proceeded to the Martyr Lieutenant Uğur Acar Military Post where the Garrison Command was located. He afterwards inspected the arsenal and other stores at the Martyr Specialist Sergeant Mete Saraç Military Post where 25 soldiers were killed due to the blast occurring on September 5, 2012.

President Abdullah Gül, as part of his program in the city, visited Afyon Kocatepe University, where he was welcomed by Rector Prof. Dr. Mustafa Solak. The President lauded the success of the university with its 44 faculties, over 1, 000 academicians and 36, 000 students and encouraged them to achieve more.

Visiting Demman Demireller Industry, which produces machinery and equipment for marble, the President enjoyed great enthusiasm of the personnel and inspected the factory.

President Gül in the evening met with families of martyrs, businessmen and representatives of NGOs and chatted with the former at their tables, sharing his pride in the fact that there are many cities in Anatolia like Afyonkarahisar which are shining with their successes. He further suggested that they all cherish and love Turkey for whose progress and prosperity they work harder together.