In front of the Ministry, Mr. Yıldırım was greeted by the Ministry workers with applauses. During the handover ceremony he noted that the cabinet has been established and said “May God permit all of us to fulfill our duty the best way possible”
Mr. Yıldırım went on to say that this was a relay race, and in a relay race from time to time certain people pass the flag onto newcomers, but on the path of providing service to citizens there will certainly never be a slacking and/or slowing down of service.
Mr. Yıldırım went onto say that for nearly 12 years as the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister he worked in effort to meet the expectations of citizens. He added “Today, with my mind at ease and peace, and without hesitation I hand over my duties to our dear friend Ahmet Arslan, who has for many years prior to and after politics, provided service in this ministry as my general manager in the realization of Turkey’s foundational projects like Marmaray, harbors, and airports and has represented our province of Serhat, Kars in Turkey’s Grand National Assembly for two terms. May God help you and may it bring luck”
Mr. Yıldırım wished for Mr. Arslan to continue the joyful march towards reaching the 2023 goals in particular, as well as the adding on of good services that citizens long for. He added “Don’t say I have an influential contact backing me because this Minister, became a Prime Minister. That’s something different and this is something different. There is no backing, there is work to be done, there is rush, there is an outcome to be reached.”
Mr. Yıldırım stressed that an army of over one hundred thousand laborers contributed to the success of his time as minister and went on to note:
“It’s because of them that we were able to be successful. I would like to thank and extend my gratitude to all my fellow friends who held flags all along the roads, who listened to Turkey’s heart from stations during the pitch black nights, and from the workers who secured safety on railway lines all the way up to the administrator. You are the pride of Turkey. You too have a building block in the realization of projects that not only Turkey looks up to with envy, but the world as well. Each and every one of you have made great contribution. I hope I have everyone’s blessing. During our work of line, from time to time we might have knowingly or unknowingly broken hearts. Our objective was not just to build divided roads but also to build great bonds with people. Also, make our way into people’s hearts. We worked with this mindset and from here on in we will continue to work in the same manner.”
During his speech Mr. Yıldırım expressed his condolences to Kale Group’s President İbrahim Bodur’s family “We bid farewell to Kale Group’s President, İbrahim Bodur who spent his lifetime contributing to the development of Turkey’s industry and economy by producing, and with the things he produced he created job opportunities for tens of thousands. May God grant him a place in heaven, and may he give patience to his loved ones” he added.
“Being able to carry the flag gives me great pride”
The newly appointed Minister, Mr. Arslan said he had just realized how difficult the job was as soon as he started speaking after a minister who had broken grounds at the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ministry and had finished world renowned projects, and that now speaking after the Prime Minister’s speech has made him nervous.
Mr. Arslan stated that it gives him great pride to carry the Ministry’s flag on the route that the Prime Minister planned out and the President envisioned. He said “It will give me great pride to carry this flag. Everyone should know that working with Binali Yıldırım means you are going to sweat while working. It never means someone is backing you up. Of course luck is on our side, working with a Prime Minister who knows the Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Ministry and its projects very well is pure luck, but following in the footsteps of a Prime Minister who knows everything very well is the difficult part.”
Mr. Arslan stated that he has known Mr. Yıldırım since 1982 and continued by saying:
“I am grateful to be his colleague, I am grateful to have continuously found the chance to be a part of his team and I’m also grateful as general manager to have had the chance to walk on the path that our dear Prime Minister drew out for us and to realize our dear President’s goals. Of course we didn’t do this by ourselves but rather with the help of all of our friends here. You can be sure that we will continue to work nonstop day and night with our experienced friends, and along with you in order to carry our country’s flag to greater heights and to continue to be the hope for the oppressed and innocent. I’m aware the task at hand is difficult. In order to not let you down, we will work day and night to provide service to our citizens and our nation. No one should doubt this.”
At the end of his speech Mr. Arslan noted “The impossible my seem difficult, but difficult is easy” which after Mr. Yıldırım said “Correction, difficult tasks can be fulfilled right away, but the impossible might take some time”
After the speeches, Mr. Arslan presented Mr. Yıldırım with flowers and a gift.